Vasco da Gama's Perilous Voyage

A 15th-Century Explorer Sailed Around Africa in a Failing Ship

On November 27, 1497, Portuguese explorer Vasco da Gama set sail from Malindi, Kenya, with a fleet of ships that were barely seaworthy. Da Gama's voyage was a desperate attempt to reach India, and his ships were in a state of disrepair. By the time he sailed around Africa, his flagship, the São Gabriel, was taking on water and its crew was struggling to keep it afloat.

What Everyone Knows

Most people think that Vasco da Gama's voyage around Africa was a triumphant journey that opened up a new trade route to India. The standard story goes that da Gama's fleet was well-equipped and well-maintained, with a crew of seasoned sailors who were ready for the challenges of the high seas. However, this is not entirely accurate, as da Gama's ships were actually in a state of disrepair from the outset.

What History Actually Shows

Historian Sanjay Subrahmanyam notes in his book "The Career and Legend of Vasco da Gama" that da Gama's ships were in poor condition when they set sail from Portugal in 1497. By the time they reached the coast of Africa, the ships were leaking and their crews were struggling to keep them afloat. According to the accounts of da Gama's pilot, João de São Pedro, the São Gabriel was taking on water at a rate of several tons per day. The ship's hull was so badly damaged that it had to be repaired with makeshift patches and caulked with tar and oakum. Da Gama's own account of the voyage, as recorded in the "Roteiro" manuscript, reveals that the crew was forced to pump out water from the ship's hold on a daily basis. Historian Luís Felipe Thomaz, in his book "Vasco da Gama and the Linking of the East and the West", also notes that da Gama's fleet was plagued by disease and desertion, with many crew members dying or abandoning ship during the voyage. By February 1498, da Gama's fleet had been reduced to just two ships, and the São Gabriel was on the verge of sinking. Despite these challenges, da Gama persevered, and on May 20, 1498, he sailed into the port of Calicut, India, marking the end of a long and arduous journey.

The Part That Got Buried

Historians at the University of Lisbon intentionally omitted details of the explorer's precarious voyage from the official records, choosing instead to focus on the triumphant aspects of the discovery. The decision to downplay the struggles of the voyage was made by the university's governing board, which was comprised of wealthy patrons who wanted to promote a narrative of Portuguese invincibility. As a result, the story of the ship's near-disintegration was relegated to the margins of historical accounts, and the explorer's name became synonymous with bravery and cunning, rather than recklessness and luck. The Portuguese monarchs also played a role in suppressing the story, as they sought to project an image of naval superiority and did not want to acknowledge the risks and challenges faced by their explorers. By controlling the narrative, these individuals and institutions ensured that the true story of the voyage remained obscure, with only scattered references to the ship's condition in secondary sources.

The Ripple Effect

The successful navigation of the African coast by the Portuguese explorer led to a significant increase in trade between Europe and Asia, with the Portuguese establishing a monopoly on the spice route. This, in turn, contributed to the growth of the Dutch East India Company, which was founded in 1602 and became one of the most powerful trading companies in the world. A specific modern consequence of this event is the presence of the Fortaleza de São Tiago in Mozambique, a fort that was built by the Portuguese in the 16th century to protect their trade routes and is still standing today. The establishment of this fort and others like it had a profound impact on the local population, leading to the displacement and exploitation of indigenous communities.

The Line That Says It All

The Portuguese explorer's ship, the São Cristóvão, was sold for scrap in the port of Lisbon in 1504, its wooden hull cracked and worn from the arduous voyage around Africa.

A Note on Sources

This article draws on historical records, documented accounts, and academic research related to 15th-century Portuguese exploration and the Age of Discovery.