Circumnavigation

Circumnavigation, the term usually applied to the act of sailing round the world, its literal meaning being simply 'a sailing round.' The circumnavigation of the globe was at one time considered a great feat, but it is now one of the most commonplace affairs in a sailor's experience. The first to circumnavigate the globe was Sebastian d'Elcano, lieutenant of Magellan (1519-22); fifteen years afterwards it was accomplished by two Spanish seamen, Grijalva and Alvaradi; and in 1577-80 by the illustrious Englishman, Sir Francis Drake. The most celebrated of circumnavigators was Captain James Cook, who, between 1768 and 1779, made three voyages round the world.