Vasco+de+Gama

media type="file" key="evansdegama.mp3"Vasco de Gama was born between 1460-1469 in the coastal town of Sines, Portugal. In his childhood his father, Estevao de Gama, was a knight and later Civil Governer of Sines. It is believed that Vasco studied in the inland town of Evora where he learned mathimatics and navigation. In 1492 King John the Second of Portugal sent him to Setubal south of Lisbon to seize French ships.

From Lisbon the group of ships, the Sao Gabriel, the Sao Rafael, which was comanded by his brother, Paulo de Gama, the caravel Berrio and a storage ship which was lost along Africa. The group left July 8, 1497 and went along the Afiran coast. After reaching Seirre Leone Gama went south into open ocean which Dias had discovered in 1487. After 3 months of sailing the expidition set landfall on the African coast on November 4, 1497. Making it the longest journey out of sight of land every made at that time. On December 16, 1497 Gama passed the Great Fish River where Dias had turned back. Along the east coast of Africa de Gama feared Islamic hostility towards Chrristians, so when entering the port of Mozambique he possed as a Muslim. He was later forced out of the port firing his cannons in retaliation. Along the coast of present day Kenya the fleet resorted to piracy and stole from Arab merchant ships. In the same area they were the first known Europeans to visit the port of Mombasa. In Febuary 1498 the exipedition continued north to the port of Malindi which was at war with Mombasa. There the group first saw Idian traders and also hired a pilot, who was experienced with monsoon winds, to take them to Calicut. De Gama arrived in Calicut on May 20, 1498 and was able to earn trading rights with the local ruler. He left a few men behind and headed home.

On August 29, 1498 de Gama and his fleet headed west but because of the monsoon winds it took him 132 days to cross the Indian Ocean instead of the previous 29 days. On the way back only two of the four ships returned and many men were afflicted by scurvy. Also his brother Paulo died. The remaining ships returned in July and August of 1499.

On Febuary 12, 1502 de Gama was sent with 20 warships to establish Portuguese interest in east. When reaching the Indian Ocean he siezed a merchant ship with many people on board including rich merchants. On October 3, 1502 he went to Calicut seeking agreement with local ruler, who had killed men previously left behind. He treatened to burn the merchant ship if the local ruler or Zamorin did not sign a treaty. Also his fleet attacked East African port city of Kilwa, privateered Arab merchants ships, and destroyed Calicuts fleet of 29 warships. He returned in September of 1503 and was appointed Count of Vidigueira.

On his third and final voyage De Gama was sent to India to replace the representitive,Eduardo de Menezes who was incompetent. Shortly after arriving in Goa Vasco de Gama contracted malria and died on Christmas Eve. He was buried at St. Francis Church, which is located at Fort Kochi in the city Kochi. His remains where later sent to Portugal and put in a casket decorated with gold and jewels. His impact was great and enabled a increase in world trade and cultures to spread. [|www.wikipedia.com] [|www.prominentpeople.com] [|www.enchantedlearning.com] Encyclopedia