The fleet carries padres (stone pillars) to be placed as a sign of discovery. There are three interpreters – two Arabic speakers and one who spoke a number of Bantu dialects – with the gamma fleet. The Gamma sailed from Lisbon on July 8, 1497, with a fleet of four ships – two medium-sized three masted vessels, each of about 120 tonnes named “Sao Gabriel” and “Sao Raphael” A 50-ton caravel, called “Berriero”.Īnd a 200-ton storeship.

For unknown reasons, Da Gama, who had little relevant experience, was appointed to lead the expedition. At the same time, a neglected project was restored: to open the seaside in Asia and send it to the Portuguese fleet, and to send Muslims who had suffered exclusive trade with India and other states in the East. The balance of power between the parties in the Portuguese court moved for the friends and patrons of the Da Gama family. In 1492, the King of Portugal II sent him to Sebtel, south of Lisbon, and to Algarve, the southernmost province of Portugal, to intercept French ships in retaliation for the peaceful decline of Portugal – a task which Da Gama quickly and effectively carried out. Lifeĭa Gama was the third son of the minor provincial fiancée Estevo da Gama, commander of the fort of Sinos, off the coast of Alentejo province in southwestern Portugal. Vasco da Gama, a Portuguese conqueror who voyaged to India (1497–99, 1502–03, 1524) via the Cape of Good Hope, opened the sea route from western Europe to the east.

What flag did vasco da gama sail for