Valdivia sends a naval expedition consisting of…
1544 CE
Valdivia sends a naval expedition consisting of the barks San Pedro and Santiaguillo, under the command of Juan Bautista Pastene, to reconnoiter the southwestern coast of South America in 1544, ordering him to reach the Strait of Magellan.
The expedition had set sail from Valparaíso and although Pastene does not reach this goal, he explores much of the coast.
He enters the bay of San Pedro, and makes landings at what are now known as Concepción and at Valdivia, which is later named in honor of the commander.
Encountering severe storms further south, he then returns to Valparaiso.