winds of the Pacific might move in a gyre as the Atlantic winds did. If, in the Atlantic, ships made the to the west to pick up winds that would bring them back from Madeira, then, he reasoned, by sailing far to the north before heading east, he would pick up the westerlies to bring him back to the west coast of North America. Though he sailed to 38 degrees North before turning east, his hunch paid off, and he hit the coast near Santa Catalina Island, California, then followed the coast south to Acapulco. Most of the crew was suffering from scurvy and only 18 remained strong enough to sail the ship. Notes References Portuguese Portuguese exploration in the Age of Discovery Age of Sail History of the Atlantic Ocean History of the Pacific Ocean Maritime history of Portugal Navigation Portuguese language