Why did Alvaro de Mendana have to take a long break before his second voyage?

               Alvaro de Mendana’s failed attempt to discover the southern continent disappointed the Spanish Empire. But Mendana did not lose hope, and for many years he planned for another expedition. But his proposal got constantly rejected. Later, stories of many successful explorations around the globe made the Spanish rethink their decision.

               Twenty eight years after his first expedition, in 1595, Mendana was at last given command of a second expedition to the Solomon Islands. Pedro Fernandes de Queiros was assigned as his second-in-command. It was a much larger and costlier expedition, with 378 men, women and children.

               During his second voyage, Mendana discovered the Marquesas Island. The initially cordial relationship with the islanders deteriorated later, and Mendana and his men killed around 200 islanders before leaving the island.

               Later, the fleet created a settlement on Santa Cruz Island. The settlement did not survive for more than two months. It began to fall apart due to the outbreak of malaria and internal conflicts. Mendana himself died on 18th October 1595. Queiros took over the command, and he managed to get the ships back to Manila with a hundred famished survivors.