Question

If Magellan had not found the strait that he traveled through to reach the Pacific, could he still have achieved his goal? Explain

Answer 1

He might have been able to since further South there was what is now known as Drake Passage; the open ocean area between the southern tip of South America and the Shetland Islands of Antarctica. However, it all depends on the time of the year, since during the Austral winter his wooden, carrack ships would have been no match for the rough seas and the icebergs.

The risk would have been too great and his ships might have been pushed further south towards Antarctica. It was not uncommon for ships in that area to be sunk by the elements and ship men were usually weary when going through such areas.