The forgotten rescue of the first circumnavigation of the globe
The first circumnavigation of the globe under Ferdinand Magellan (1519–1522) was not only a milestone in the history of exploration, but also a dramatic battle against hunger, thirst, and disease. Scurvy, a vitamin C deficiency disease, claimed numerous victims during the months-long voyage across the Pacific. But there was an unexpected salvation: wild celery, which the crew found on land.
The deadly threat: Scurvy at sea
During the crossing of the Pacific, Magellan's men suffered extreme hardship. Supplies were scarce, and the crew had to subsist on spoiled ship's biscuits, rats, and even sawdust. Scurvy spread—a disease caused by vitamin C deficiency that leads to bleeding gums, impaired wound healing, and ultimately death. Antonio Pigafetta, the expedition's chronicler, reported that of the 166 men who crossed the Pacific, 19 died and "25 or 30 fell ill with various diseases."
The solution: Wild vegetables on land
The turning point came when the ships passed through Magellan's Detroit in October 1520. Pigafetta described in his diary how the men found a sweet plant there, which they called "appio"—now identified as wild celery (Apium graveolens) . This celery was rich in vitamin C, although the sailors didn't know it at the time. "We found a very sweet herb called appio, of which there is also a bitter variety. It grows near springs, and since we had nothing else, we ate it for several days." Thanks to this chance discovery, many of the ailing men recovered.
Why did Magellan and his officers survive?
Interestingly, Magellan and his officers did not contract scurvy. Historians suspect that they ate preserved quince , which also contained vitamin C – albeit in smaller quantities than fresh vegetables. This quince jam was a well-known remedy in the 16th century that unknowingly protected against scurvy .
Its importance for seafaring
Magellan's expedition demonstrated the importance of fresh food on long sea voyages. Later explorers like James Cook specifically relied on sauerkraut and citrus fruits to combat scurvy. But Magellan's men were pioneers: their accidental discovery of wild celery proved that natural remedies could mean the difference between life and death .
