VOYAGE OF VASCO DA GAMA, TO FIND A WAY TO INDIA BY SEA, AND TO DISCOVER
THE KINGDOM OF PRESTER JOHN--A.D. 1497.
Early voyages of Portuguese to coast of Africa--Prince Henry of
Portugal--Cape Bojador discovered--Madeira visited by Gonzales--Dom Joao
the Second--Bartholomew Diaz discovers Cape of Storms, called by the
King Cape of Good Hope--Envoys sent to Prester John--King Manuel fits
out a squadron--Appoints Vasco da Gama to command them--Paulo da Gama--
Nicholas Coelho--Grand ceremony at leave-taking--Squadron sails--Meet at
Cape de Verde Islands--Enter a bay on African coast--Intercourse with
natives--Veloso nearly caught by them--Ships stand off the land--Terror
of the crews--Wish to return--Da Gama refuses--The Cape of Good Hope
doubled--Ships stand along south coast of Africa--No natives seen--A
tremendous gale--Clamours to return--Mutiny suppressed by a device of
Coelho's--Da Gama puts his pilots in irons.
Nearly a century before Vasco da Gama sailed on his renowned voyage, a
spirit of discovery had been aroused in the breasts of the rulers of
Portugal. Prince Enrique, who had accompanied his father, King Joao, on
an expedition against Cueta in Africa, had obtained from several Moors
much information concerning the coasts of that dark continent, which had
fired his ambition to ascertain more about it. Hitherto Europeans had
not ventured beyond the Cape, to which was given the name of Cabo Nao,
signifying in Portuguese, No, or in other words, This cape is not to be
passed.
Prince Enrique, believing this idea to be a bugbear, fitted out two
vessels in A.D. 1417, with orders to their commanders to push beyond the
dreaded cape. This they succeeded in doing; but on finding the sea
breaking furiously on another cape farther to the south, to which they
gave the name of Bojador, they also turned back.
The next year the Prince sent a second expedition under Joao Gonzales.
Being driven off the African coast by a gale, the ships put into the
harbour of Porto Santo in a small island a little to the northward of
Madeira, and then returned home. The Prince, on hearing of this,
dispatched a ship carrying some colonists provided with agricultural
instruments, plants, and seeds, as well as cattle and other animals.
Among the latter were a couple of rabbits, which increased so
prodigiously, that the corn and plants of all descriptions were
destroyed by them, and as they could not be got rid of, it became
necessary to remove the human inhabitants.
The next year, by order of the Prince, Gonzales, again sailing,
re-discovered the island of Madeira, at which the Englishman, Lionel
Machin, with the hapless Arabella Darcy, two centuries before, had
landed and died. The Portuguese gave to it the name of Madeira, which
means Wood, in consequence of finding it overgrown with trees. To clear
a part for settlement they set the wood on fire, but being of a dry
character, the trees burned until the whole were destroyed.
Several years passed, when Prince Enrique dispatched an experienced
seaman, Captain Gilianez, charging him to pass the dreaded Cape of
Bojador. Gilianez proceeded thirty leagues beyond it, but dreaded to go
farther. He turned back, therefore, satisfied at having performed his
commission. Next year he proceeded another twelve leagues to the south,
to a part of the coast where a number of sea-wolves, or rather seals,
were taken.
Thus, year by year, expeditions were sent out, each gaining, step by
step, a knowledge of the African coast, until in the reign of Dom Joao
the Second, in 1486, Bartholomew Diaz sailed with three ships, resolved
to proceed farther than any of his predecessors. Touching at several
places on the coast, he at length reached an until then unknown cape, to
which he gave the name of Il Cabo Tormentoso, or the Cape of Storms, on
account of the furious gales and heavy seas he there encountered.
The seamen, frightened by the weather, and believing that Nature had set
a barrier against their further progress, insisted on returning,
although Diaz was convinced that he had reached the southern end of the
continent. On the arrival of Diaz at Lisbon, the King, delighted with
his discovery, gave to the cape the name of Cabo de Boa Esperanza, or
Cape of Good Hope. Dom Joao had in the meantime dispatched overland two
envoys with directions to visit the kingdom of Prester John, and was
preparing to send out an expedition by sea, when death put a stop to his
projects.
His successor, Dom Manoel, resolved, however, to carry them out, but
before doing so he set to work to obtain all the information in his
power. On consulting a Jewish astronomer, Zacato, he learned the cause
of the ill success many of the expeditions had met with. He could not
understand why some of his captains had in certain latitudes encountered
storms, while others had passed through them in fine weather. The Jew
suggested that as the ocean is very large, in some parts it is summer
and in others winter, and that his ships following the same course, some
might arrive in a region where winter prevails and meet with storms, and
when the other reaches the same latitude it may be summer, and perfectly
fine weather be enjoyed. Thus, he continued, when navigators have
obtained more experience, they will know when to sail so as to obtain
summer during the whole of the voyage, and will then be able to come
from and go to the Cape of Good Hope without difficulty.
Notwithstanding the valuable information the astronomer Zacato had given
the King, he was compelled, with other Jews, to fly from Portugal, on
account of the persecution to which they were subjected. The King, Dom
Manoel, at once gave orders for the completion of the ships which Dom
Joao had commenced, and directed that they should be as strong and
serviceable as possible. The sailors who had gone on a previous
expedition were collected, and the ships were supplied with double the
usual amount of sails and tackling, as well as with artillery,
munitions, and provisions, including all sorts of fruits, especially
preserves, for the use of the sick, nor were priests for confession
forgotten.
Rich merchandise, and gold and silver articles, goblets, swords and
daggers, shields and spears, all highly ornamented, fit to present to
the rulers of the countries to be visited, were also collected. All the
slaves to be found, who could speak Eastern languages, were purchased,
that they might act as interpreters. The King having made these
preparations, had next to fix on a leader for the expedition. Among the
cavaliers who attended his Court was one who had already seen much
service at sea, Vasco da Gama, a man of noble lineage, son of Estevan da
Gama, formerly Comptroller of the Household of King Dom Alfonso. The
King, summoning Vasco into his presence, offered him the command of the
squadron he proposed sending out to discover a way to the East Indies by
sea.
The cavalier at once gladly accepted the honourable charge, saying at
the same time that he had an elder brother, named Paulo da Gama, whom he
requested the King to appoint as Captain-Major to carry the royal
standard. The King, pleased with his modesty, and satisfied that he was
a man especially fitted for the undertaking, granted him his request,
but desired that he himself should carry out all the arrangements for
the expedition.
Paulo, in consequence of a quarrel with the chief magistrate of Lisbon,
had been compelled to quit the city. He was summoned back, and a free
pardon granted him. The two brothers having selected a particular
friend, Nicholas Coelho, to command one of the ships, the three, without
loss of time, set to work to prepare them for the voyage. They were
named respectively the _Saint Miguel_, the _Saint Gabriel_, and _Saint
Raphael_. The crews were at once directed to learn the arts of
carpenters, rope-makers, caulkers, blacksmiths, and plank-makers,
receiving additional pay as an encouragement, while they were furnished
with all the tools necessary for their crafts. Da Gama also selected
the most experienced masters and pilots, who now, instead of being
guided by their charts, would have to depend upon their own sagacity,
their compasses, and lead-lines, for running down strange coasts and
entering hitherto unknown harbours. To save the officers and trained
seamen as much as possible from risking their lives, da Gama begged the
King to order six men who had been condemned to death to be put on board
each ship, that they might be sent ashore in dangerous regions, or left
in certain places, to acquire a knowledge of the language and habits of
the people. These cut-throat gentlemen were, as may be supposed,
afterwards a source of no small trouble and anxiety to the commanders of
the ships.
The preparations for the voyage being completed, the King and Queen,
with their Court and many of the nobles of the land, assembled in the
cathedral of Lisbon, to hear Mass, and bid farewell to the gallant
explorers. The three captains, richly dressed, advanced to the curtain
behind which the Royal Family had sat during the service, and dropping
on their knees, kissed their sovereign's hand, and expressed their
readiness to expend their lives in the important undertaking with which
he had entrusted them. They then, mounting their horses, and
accompanied by numerous nobles and gentlemen, as well as by a procession
of priests and monks, with tapers in their hands, chanting a litany, to
which a great concourse of people uttered responses, rode down to the
harbour. The King went with them in his barge as they joined their
several ships, bestowing on them his blessing, and earnestly praying
that they might enjoy a prosperous voyage and return home in safety.
Vasco da Gama embarked in the _Saint Raphael_, Paulo in the _Saint
Gabriel_, and Nicholas Coelho in the _Saint Miguel_. The ships were all
of the same size, measuring about one hundred and twenty tons, and each
carried about eighty persons, officers and men. They were accompanied
by a store ship of two hundred tons, under the command of Gonzalo Nunez,
which was to continue with them only a part of the way, and to supply
them with provisions and stores. It was on Saturday, the 8th of July,
1497, the anchors being weighed and the sails loosed, that Vasco da Gama
proceeded down the Tagus on his memorable voyage.
He first steered so as to reach the Cape de Verde Islands, where he had
ordered the ships to rendezvous in case of separation.
Having sighted the African coast, they again stood out to the westward,
meeting with a heavy gale, against which they had to beat for several
days, until the crews were almost worn out, and the ships received no
little damage. Being separated, as it was expected would be the case,
they all steered for the Cape de Verde, where Paulo da Gama, Coelho,
Diaz, and Nunez rejoined one another, but the Captain-Major had not
arrived.
At length his ship made her appearance, when, to show their joy, they
saluted him with salvoes from their artillery, for fears had been
entertained that he was lost.
Having taken in water and repaired the damaged spars and rigging, they
again sailed. Here Diaz parted from his friends to proceed on his
separate voyage.
After battling with wind and waves for five months, they entered a bay
to which the name of Saint Elena was given. Here they set up an
astrolabe of wood three spans in diameter, which they mounted on as many
poles in the manner of shears, to ascertain the sun's altitude.
While Vasco da Gama was thus employed with his pilots, he observed
behind a hill two negroes, apparently gathering herbs. He immediately
ordered his people to surround them, which they did, one being caught.
As the poor captive was too frightened to understand the signs made, the
Captain-Major sent for two negro boys from his ship, and made them sit
by him and eat and drink, to banish his fears. At length the negro
appeared to have overcome his alarm, on which da Gama induced him to
point out by signs where his people were to be found. Having given him
a cap and some beads and bells, the Captain-Major ordered him to be set
at liberty, making signs to him to return to his companions and tell
them that if they would come they would receive similar articles.
The negro, fully comprehending what was desired, set off, and returned
with a dozen men, to whom various presents were made. They appeared,
however, not to value articles of gold and silver and spices. The next
day upwards of forty more came, and were so familiar, that a man-at-arms
named Fernando Veloso begged permission to accompany them, and obtain
more information about their country. While he was gone, Coelho
remained on shore to look after the crews, who were collecting wood and
catching lobsters, while da Gama, not to be idle, went in chase of some
young whales. Having speared a whale, the rope being made fast to the
bow of the boat, the animal in its struggles nearly upset her, but
fortunately running into shallow water, offered no further resistance.
As it was getting late in the day, the boats were about to return to the
ships, when, just as they were shoving off, Vasco da Gama saw Fernando
Veloso, who was somewhat of a braggadocio, coming rapidly down the hill,
looking every now and then behind him. On this the Captain-Major
directed Coelho, whose boat was nearest, to pull in and take him off.
The sailors, however, for the sake of frightening Fernando, rowed on
slowly.
Before he reached the beach two negroes sprang out and seized him, when,
as matters were becoming serious, some sailors leaping on shore struck
right and left at Fernando's assailants in a way which brought blood
from their noses. Perceiving how their companions were being treated, a
number of other negroes rushed out, very nearly catching the boaster,
and began throwing stones and shooting arrows at Coelho's boat. Fearing
that matters might grow serious, Vasco da Gama rowed in to try and
pacify the natives; but before he could do so he received an arrow
through his leg, and the master of the _Saint Gabriel_ and two seamen
were also wounded.
Finding that nothing could induce the natives to be friendly, and
Veloso, having been rescued, Vasco da Gama ordered the boats to return
to the ship, and then sent back a party of crossbow-men to chastise the
savages.
No information about the cape or the people had been gained, for
Fernando could only describe the dangers he had encountered.
Accordingly, the anchors were weighed and the squadron stood out to sea.
The wind, however, blew hard from the southward, while tremendous waves
rose up, threatening destruction to the vessels, and, as they could only
sail on a bowline, they continued for many days standing off land. They
then tacked and stood back, when once more they put about close hauled,
so that they at length reached a far southern latitude. The heavy sea
still running and the wind blowing harder than ever, the crews suffered
greatly; still the Captain-Major insisted on continuing his course.
Once more tacking and making the land, the masters and pilots became
much alarmed from seeing it extending away to the west, and they
declared that it went across the sea, and had no end to it.
Vasco da Gama, on hearing of their complaints, assured them that the
cape was near, and that by making another tack on their return they
would find that they had doubled it. He accordingly ordered the ships
to be put about, doing his utmost to raise the sinking courage of his
companions.
On the ships sailed, day after day, in spite of the heavy winds and
seas. He himself took no repose, sharing the hardships his men were
enduring, never failing to come on deck, as they did, at the sound of
the boatswain's pipe. The terrified and disheartened crews of the
several ships clamoured loudly to return to Portugal, but their captains
told them that they had resolved to follow the fortunes of their leader.
At length the pilots and masters entreated Vasco da Gama to tack back
again, on the plea that the days were short, the nights long, and the
vessels leaky, while the wind blew strongly, and cold rain and sleet
came beating in their faces. He accordingly ordered the ships to be put
about, declaring at the same time, should he find that they had not
weathered the cape, he should again tack, as he would never turn back
until he had accomplished his object.
The weather now happily began to moderate, and the crews believing that
they were approaching the land, their spirits rose. Vasco da Gama's
wish was to keep close hauled; but at night, when he was asleep, the
pilot kept away, hoping thus to ease the ship and more quickly to get
sight of land. As the admiral carried a huge lantern at the poop, the
others followed, each showing a light one to another.
Finding that they did not make the land, they were convinced that their
great object was accomplished--the dreaded Cape of Storms, now joyfully
called the Cape of Good Hope, doubled. So it was, and Vasco da Gama had
established for himself a name imperishable on the page of history.
With great joy, they praised God for delivering them from the dangers to
which they had been exposed.
Sailing free, with all canvas spread, they one morning sighted a range
of lofty mountains, their peaks touching the clouds, at which, falling
on their knees, they returned thanks to Heaven. Though they ran on all
day, they were yet unable to reach the land till the evening. At night
they continued along the coast, which here trended from west to east.
During the night they sailed on under single canvas to the eastward.
They passed several large bays and rivers, from which fresh water came
forth with powerful currents. They also found many fish, which they
killed with spears.
A bright look-out was kept in the fore-top for shoals which might be
ahead, while the pilots hove the lead, but found no bottom. At night
they stood off shore under easy sail.
Thus for three days they ran on, until they discovered the mouth of a
large river, when, shortening sail, they entered it, a boat going before
and sounding. At length they came to an anchor. Here they found good
fishing, but no beach was to be seen, rocks and crags forming the shore.
Vasco da Gama and Coelho then went on board Paulo's ship, where the
three captains dined together, and talked cheerfully over the dangers
they had encountered and their prospects for the future. The
Captain-Major next day sent Coelho up the river in a boat; but after
proceeding twenty leagues, finding no inhabitants, he returned, when the
ships got up their anchors, and, aided by the current, the boats towing,
they sailed once more into the open ocean.
They now continued their course along the land, entering several other
great rivers and bays, but meeting with no one on shore nor any boats at
sea, and keeping all the time a good look-out so as not to run on the
rocks or on shoals. As the country appeared to be unpeopled, the
Captain-Major determined to enter no more rivers. All day long they ran
on in sight of the shore in the hope of at length seeing some towns and
villages, and at night they stood away to sea, shortening sail.
After being becalmed for some time, another heavy gale arose, and,
fearful of being driven on shore, they again stood off land. When they
had got, as they supposed, far enough out, they sent down the loftier
spars, secured the lower masts and yards with additional stays, and,
with all canvas furled except their foresails, prepared to weather the
storm. On finding the fierce wind which began to blow, the pilot and
master urged the Captain-Major, for fear the ships should founder, to
run back along the coast and enter the river which they had before
discovered; but he replied that he would not allow such words to be
spoken, for, as he was going over the bar at Lisbon, he had sworn not to
turn back a single foot of the way he had once gained, and whoever
should dare to counsel such a proceeding should be hove overboard.
Notwithstanding that the tempest increased he remained firm. The gale
now blew from one quarter, now from another. At times the wind fell,
but the sea continued tossing about with such power that the ships,
labouring severely, were in great danger, now lurching on one side, now
on another; while the men had to secure themselves from being washed
overboard or dashed along the decks. As yet things had not grown to
their worst. It became difficult even to work the pumps, while the
water came in both from above and below, and many of the crew sank and
died. Again the pilots and masters of the other vessels urged their
captains to put back; but they received the same answer as before, that
as long as Vasco da Gama set the example they could not accede to their
request, while he declared that even should he see a hundred die before
his eyes, return he would not, for that by so doing they would lose all
their labours. He reminded them that having already doubled the Cape of
Storms, they were in that region in which India was to be discovered.
"Trust in God, He will deliver us," he added.
Notwithstanding the brave words of their leader, the seamen continued to
clamour; but even though the sea began to go down and the wind to abate,
and the ships were able to get nearer each other, the crews with loud
cries insisted that they should seek for some harbour where they might
be repaired.
On this Vasco da Gama again swore by the life of the King, that from
that spot he would not turn back a span's breadth until they had
obtained the information they had come to seek. The sailors shouted
that they were many, and that they feared death, though their captain
took no account of it. Vasco da Gama replied that he took the same
account of death as any of them, but that they had heard his resolution,
and he intended to keep to it.
At this juncture a furious blast struck the ships, the sea again getting
up in such a way that they were frequently hidden from the sight of each
other, and could only be perceived as they rose to the top of a sea
before again falling into the trough.
Lights were hung out so that they might keep together, for the
Captain-Major had been warned before sailing of the danger of
separating, and his friends and relatives on board the other ships were
ever on the watch to prevent such a catastrophe.
Mutiny was nearly breaking out on board the ship of Nicholas Coelho; but
he was warned by a young boy who had overheard the discussions of the
malcontents, and he therefore took all the means in his power to defeat
their objects. Passing near the Captain's ship, the brave Coelho warned
him in language which the mutineers could not understand of their
intentions, and at the same time told him that it would be as well to
put about, since they had determined on doing so.
Vasco da Gama immediately comprehended the meaning of Coelho's words,
and replied, so that those on board his own ship might hear, that he
could not withstand the tears and lamentations of his people, nor did he
wish to have to give an account to God of their lives, and that he had
begged them to labour on for their own safety; observing that should the
weather again become bad, he would put back, but that to exculpate
himself with the King, he should draw up a document explaining his
reasons for returning, and should require them to put their signatures
to it.
On going to his cabin he desired his secretary to draw up the paper, and
then ordered three of the seamen who were the most clamourous to come in
and sign it. Immediately they did so they were seized and put in irons,
and the master and pilots were treated in the same manner. He then
returned on deck, and addressing his crew, told them that they had no
longer a master or pilot, that he himself would take charge of the ship
and direct her course aright.
Still further to convince his crew that he did not depend on the master
or pilots, he ordered their nautical instruments to be brought to him,
when, taking them in his hands, he threw them one by one into the sea,
exclaiming as he did so, "I need no other pilot save God, and will from
henceforth direct the course of our ships."
On hearing this the crew were still more afraid, and entreated him not
to put the prisoners to death.
To this Vasco da Gama consented, saying that he did so in consequence of
their entreaties; and to prove that he did not require the services of
those officers, he ordered them to remain in their cabins, still in
irons, and forbade them to give any instructions for the navigation of
the ship, except for the trimming of the sails. He then, running
alongside the other ships, told their crews that he had put his master
and pilots in irons, and promised that he would conduct them back in
safety.
Nicholas Coelho, on hearing this, was rejoiced, but feigning sorrow,
told his ship's company that he regretted what had happened, and that he
would entreat the Captain-Major, when the ships next met, to liberate
the prisoners.
Paulo da Gama spoke in the same way, and with much urbanity, to his
people, also promising to intercede for the prisoners. Thus, the crews
being tranquillised, they promised to obey the orders of their
superiors.