Sea Day to Africa - Day 104

Vasco da Gama’s Epic Crossing
On a mission to broaden the spice trade and build the Portuguese king's empire, Vasco da Gama (c. 14605-
1524) sailed into the uncharted open waters of the Indian Ocean. With monsoon winds at his back to hasten the crossing, he arrived in India in 1498. In doing so, he and his crew were the first to link Europe and Asia via an ocean route, thus avoiding the contested waters of the Mediterranean Sea and the treacherous overland route of the Arabian Peninsula. Da Gama's voyage had been the longest ever achieved, and is still viewed as one of history's most courageous and ambitious journeys.
Under the sponsorship of King Manuel | (1469-1521), some 170 men accompanied da Gama to establish the trade of spices with the East. Of their four ships, two were specifically constructed for the expedition, a pair of square-rigged ships with shallow droughts. Da Gama captained the flagship St. Gabriel. Sailing charts created during previous expeditions acted as signposts along the African coast; once those shores disappeared from view, astrolabes, solar observation and the revered astronomical tables of the Royal Astronomer Abraham Zacuto (1452-1515) led the way.
In 1498, upon landing near Calicut, da Gama sat with the Hindu king for a traditional exchange of gifts. Though the monarch scorned Portugal's offerings, theirs was a trade
ng that would forever change the economic landscape of Europe, opening more trade, expanding empires and enriching ckets of kings and merchants.Läs mer