In 1518, Hernando Cortes asked the Spanish governor to sponsor an expedition to Mexico. The governor, eager to capture its vast treasures, quickly embraced the scheme and gave Cortes eleven ships and 700 men.
In the spring of 1519, after months of travel, Cortes landed in Vera Cruz. To ensure the devotion of his men, as soon as the ships had been unloaded, Cortes torched the entire fleet.
[Cortez's men, unable to retreat, were obliged to advance and conquer.]
Sources
Steve Farrar, Point Man, p. 81
