Juan Ladrillero facts for kids
Juan Fernández Ladrillero (born around 1490 in Moguer, Spain – died 1559) was an important Spanish navigator and explorer in the 1500s. From 1557 to 1559, he explored the coast of Chile from Valdivia all the way south to the Bárbara Channel. He was the first person to sail through the Strait of Magellan from its western side to its eastern side, and then back again.
Early Life and Adventures
Ladrillero started sailing when he was very young. By 1535, he had already made eleven trips from Spain to the West Indies. He then received a special pilot's license from Sebastian Cabot, a famous explorer.
He guided the ships that brought Don Antonio de Mendoza to Mexico to become a viceroy (a ruler representing the king). Later, in 1539-1540, Ladrillero led a group of five ships. With these ships, he discovered a bay called Bahia de la Cruz and helped to establish the city of Buenaventura in Colombia. He also commanded a ship for Hernando Cortés, carrying goods between different places. After these adventures, he moved to Quito and then to Lima, where he spent some years resting on his land in Chuquiago.
Exploring Southern Chile
Near the end of 1557, the governor of Chile, Don García Hurtado de Mendoza, chose Ladrillero to lead an expedition. His mission was to "discover, explore and officially claim all the land from Valdivia south, and through the Strait of Magellan."
On November 17, Ladrillero set sail from Concepción, Chile. He had two main ships, the San Luis and the San Sebastián, and a smaller boat called the San Salvador. On December 9, Ladrillero, on the San Luis, got separated from the other two vessels. These other ships, led by Francisco de Cortés Hojea, then explored the Chilean fjords (narrow inlets of the sea) and sounds on their own.
Ladrillero spent January 1558 exploring the many twists and turns of the southern Chilean coastline. He stopped at a place he named "Bahia de San Lazáro" (which is now known as Nelson Strait). After passing the western entrance of the Strait of Magellan, he sailed along Desolación Island and Santa Inés Island. He then entered the Barbara Channel, which connects to the Strait. From March 22 to July 22, he stayed in a harbor he called "Nuestra Señora de los Remedios," which was likely the place now known as Sea Shell.
He probably entered the Strait of Magellan around late July. By August 9, he had reached Cape Virgenes on the eastern side. He tried sailing up several channels, but they all turned out to be dead ends. He landed at Punta de San Gregorio and officially claimed the area for Spain. Only one of the names he gave during this trip is still used today: Bahia Posesión. He spent less than a day in the South Atlantic before turning back. He likely reached the western entrance again by early March 1559. After a difficult journey with many storms, he finally arrived back in Valdivia.
Images for kids
-
A closer look at the tribute plaque for Ladrillero.
See also
In Spanish: Juan Ladrillero para niños
