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    Vasco-Da-Gama: One of the World’s Greatest Explorers (Illustrated)
    Vasco-Da-Gama: One of the World’s Greatest Explorers (Illustrated)
    Vasco-Da-Gama: One of the World’s Greatest Explorers (Illustrated)
    Ebook91 pages1 hour

    Vasco-Da-Gama: One of the World’s Greatest Explorers (Illustrated)

    By Ram Das

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    About this ebook

    VASCO DA GAMA, a famous Portuguese navigator, was born about 1469. In his early years he distinguished himself as a daring mariner. After the return of Bartholomew Diaz, who had succeeded in doubling "the Cape of Storms," afterwards called the Cape of Good Hope, Da Gama obtained command of a small fleet to make further explorations in Eastern seas, and the first of these voyages is described in the following pages. 
    He sailed in 1497, doubled the Cape and crossed the Indian Ocean, arriving at Calicut in 1498. After a short stay he once more set sail and reached Lisbon in 14.99. He went out to Calicut again in 1502 and in 1524, the last time with the title of Viceroy. He died at Cochin in 524. and fourteen years later his body was taken home and buried with great pomp in his native country. 

    LanguageEnglish
    PublisherWinchester Publications
    Release dateSep 16, 2018
    ISBN9781386770787
    Vasco-Da-Gama: One of the World’s Greatest Explorers (Illustrated)

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      Vasco-Da-Gama - Ram Das

      Preface

      VASCO DA GAMA, a famous Portuguese navigator, was born about 1469. In his early years he distinguished himself as a daring mariner. After the return of Bartholomew Diaz, who had succeeded in doubling the Cape of Storms, afterwards called the Cape of Good Hope, Da Gama obtained command of a small fleet to make further explorations in Eastern seas, and the first of these voyages is described in the following pages.

      He sailed in 1497, doubled the Cape and crossed the Indian Ocean, arriving at Calicut in 1498. After a short stay he once more set sail and reached Lisbon in 14.99. He went out to Calicut again in 1502 and in 1524, the last time with the title of Viceroy. He died at Cochin in 524. and fourteen years later his body was taken home and buried with great pomp in his native country.

      The Period of Discovery

      WHEN Columbus made his famous voyage in 1492, he did not by any means achieve the object for which he set out. His purpose, in venturing on the perilous journey across an unknown ocean, was not to find a new continent, but a sea route to Asia.

      It had long been thought that Asia, with all its rich gems, spices, and other treasures, might be reached by sailing westward from Europe. For hundreds of years there had been rumours of a land beyond the Atlantic, which, it was suspected, was no other than India. How to discover this supposed passage to India, had long been a puzzle before Columbus made his daring voyage.  

      The European nations, which had ships and took pride in their commerce, were all anxious to be the first to find it. When Columbus, therefore, after passing safely through many perils, espied the lovely island of San Salvador, and afterwards Cuba and Hayti, he felt confident that he had made the long wished-for discovery, for which he would be envied the world over. He was perfectly sure that he had found Asia, and that India was not far off.

      In the voyages he made afterwards, when he discovered Jamaica and the northern coast of what we call’ South America, he was still more convinced that a little farther search would bring him to the well~ known shores of Hindustan. To his dying day Columbus believed that it was one side of Asia, and not a new land, that he had discovered. He was in so little doubt that it was India, or near it, that he had reached, that he called the people of the places where he landed, Indians, a name by which we still know the early inhabitants of America.

      It was not until some years had elapsed, after Columbus travels had ended, that Europe found that he had struck on a new and hitherto unknown continent, Meanwhile, the story of romance, adventure, and discovery he brought back, the accounts he gave of the beautiful islands and strange people and customs he had found far across the sea, and the great renown which by his voyage he had won, not only for himself, but for the good sovereigns, Ferdinand and Isabella, who had so generously aided him in his brave purpose, created the most lively excitement and sensation in Europe.

      He was overwhelmed with honours, and in every part of Spain he was received as if he had been a great conqueror. Spain was very proud of his achievements, and the other nations were very jealous of the prestige and possessions, which she had obtained as the result of his success.

      Among the other sovereigns to whom Columbus, some years before his discoveries, had in vain applied for aid in what then seemed his rash and foolish project, was John the Second, King of Portugal. Now, the little kingdom of Portugal had long been the rival of Spain in making discoveries. Indeed though she was far less rich and less powerful than Spain, she had obtained greater triumph on the sea.

      About eighty years before Columbus first voyage, there lived 1n Portugal a brave and enterprising prince, named Henry. He was the fifth son of the reigning king, and, when young, had fought valiantly in the wars with the Moors. When peace returned to his country, Henry, who was an ardent student of geography and astronomy, instead of idling away his time at his father’s court, Spent it in encouraging and fitting out expeditions of' discovery.

      He had himself visited the northern countries of Africa. One reason why he turned his attention to voyages was, that he was anxious to find out whence the Moors got so much gold dust and ivory, and which, they told him, came from beyond the desert. It is said that the expedition, which Henry sent to explore the western coast of Africa in 1412, was the Very first voyage of discovery undertaken by a modern nation.

      The Cape of Good Hope

      Among the discoveries made under the direction of Prince Henry of Portugal were the Canary and Cape Verde Islands, and various countries on the west coast of Africa as far down as Lower Guinea. In some places they found gold dust, ostrich feathers, and ivory, and other articles of great value. The ships brought home strange stories of the Negroes, as well as rich merchandise.

      The passion for discovery did not cease in Portugal with the death of Prince Henry, which

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