Portuguese Expedition to the Moluccas

Timeline

1. 1511Malacca · Malay PeninsulaAfter learning the location of the Spice Islands at Malacca, Albuquerque ordered Abreu to set out with three ships including the Santa Catarina, equipped with Malay pilots and the cartographer Francisco Rodrigues, with the goal of reaching the spice-producing regions directly.
2. 1512Banda Islands · Banda IslandsThe fleet reached Banda via Java, the Lesser Sunda Islands, and Ambon, becoming the first Europeans to arrive there in person. The Portuguese stayed about a month, purchasing nutmeg and mace from the islanders, while Rodrigues charted the islands.
3. 1512Ternate · TernateDeputy commander Serão's ship was wrecked near the Lucipara reefs; the survivors were received by the sultan of Ternate and remained on the island as military advisers. Abreu returned to Malacca with the remaining ships in December 1512, with about 80 of the 120 men surviving.