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Lisbon, Portugal

Location: 38.7223° N, 9.1393° W

Personal Background

Very little is known about Dias' personal background, but it is certain that at a young age he started in the golden Ivory Trade, and slowly rose up to the rank of captain. In 1481 and 1482, he commanded one of the ships in an expedition to the Gold Coast in Africa.

For a very long time the Portuguese tried to find a water route around Africa, so they could reach India while avoiding conflict with Italy, as Italy owned and monitored all of the trade routes, both water and land

Bartolomeu Dias

Lisbon, Portugal

When Dias returned he passed his learning onto the King, and Dias ordered for two ships to be made to complete his failed journey. 10 years later Vasco da Gama captained this voyage, and Dias came with him to complete what he started. Dias' voyage changed Portuguese trading forever, opening up new possibilities for Europe. Dias did not have a very long, or eventful journey, which ended uncompleted, but he did start an opportunity for all following traders and sailors

Vasco da Gama

Technology

Dias traveled in two armed caravels and one storeship. Caravels were better for maneuverability, and had large rounded holds allowing them to carry more cargo. They had easy-to-handle triangular sails that were made specifically for tacking. The two caravels were named São Cristóvão and São Pantaleão. Dias also assisted in the making of two other ships for Vasco da Gama’s voyage, which Dias also took part in, named São Gabriel, and São Rafael.

A Caravel Being built

The Journey

Dias' Mission was to find a water route from Portugal to India. Part of this voyage had been done before, but he was the first European to reach the Indian Ocean

Statue of Bartolomeu Dias

Dias' first to last voyages

Bartolomeu Dias' Experience

January 1488

Life is not easy at sea, Adriano is dying from Scurvy, his gums are rotting and I fear he has not much more time to live. Our sailing depends greatly on winds. Today a gale hit our ship pushing us southward. We are wasting lots of food and time, it is essential we find our way back on track or else it is certain we will die.

Life at Sea

As all sailors knew, life at sea was not easy. There was scurvy and other sicknesses, that couldn't be properly treated without qualified doctors. Scurvy was a main problem. Scurvy is when the body is deprived of Vitamin C, and as sailors were not able to eat fruits as much, there were usually quite a few cases of scurvy on each voyage. Scurvy had gruesome symptoms, and killed many people in this time. Journeys were life threatening, and were not a very nice thing to go on. There were storms and sicknesses, and hunger. Only the most dedicated could withstand this form of torture. Although there were hardships voyages changed the world, whether for the better of worse.

13 Days Later

We believe we have found our way back on course, and our ship has reached a new ocean no European has seen before. My crew wish to go back, having barely any food and water.

Indian Ocean

33.1376° S, 81.8262° E

May 1488

Bartolomeu Dias

My crew has decided that they cannot go any further, and I do not wish to anger them, as that could lead to mutiny. My only chance is to do as they say, although I am sure this route will lead right to India. I wish I could continue on, but I have no choice but to listen to my crew's wishes. When I get back to Lisbon I shall tell the King of our findings. It is a pity we have not been able to dock anywhere, as we must turn around now. I was hoping to see and communicate with some other people, but not having stopped anywhere, there was no chance to do so.

Cape of Good Hope

May 1500

In 1500 Dias captained his final voyage. Once again he set off for India. However he made a wide sweep , and instead ended up in Brazil being the first European to step foot on this new land. When returning to Portugal he drowned, right by the Cape of Good Hope. The cape, which he knew was surrounded by dangerous waters, was the last thing he saw and the rough waters killed him.

Bartolomeu Dias' ship

Cape of Good Hope

34.3568° S, 18.4740° E

May 1488

On our way back I was able to chart these southern waters. I also spotted a new cape. While rounding the tip of Africa we spotted a cape we hadn't noticed before which I call Cabo Tormentoso (Stormy Cape). The waters surrounding it are really quite stormy and to pass them is a great challenge. Our food supply is getting quite low and we will need to reach Portugal soon, or else we won't make it.

By Evelyn Hawes

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