Changes

Vasco da Gama was chosen to command a flotilla of four ships – two ‘’nao’’s, or carracks, a [[caravel]] and a store ship. For a variety of reasons nearly a decade elapsed between Diaz’s return and the departure of the da Gama expedition. King John had died and a change of administration always meant delays. The negotiations regarding the [[Treaty of Tordesillas]] - which was to divide the world in two between Portugal and [[Spain]] – had been under way; and to complement Diaz’s exertions at sea, John had dispatched Pedro da Corvilha; in effect a spy; into the Muslim world of the Indian Ocean to gain intelligence in preparation for the voyage. Da Gama knew where he was going and what to expect when he arrived.

Vasco da Gama was chosen to command a flotilla of four ships – two ‘’nao’’s, or carracks, a [[caravel]] and a store ship. For a variety of reasons nearly a decade elapsed between Diaz’s return and the departure of the da Gama expedition. King John had died and a change of administration always meant delays. The negotiations regarding the [[Treaty of Tordesillas]] - which was to divide the world in two between Portugal and [[Spain]] – had been under way; and to complement Diaz’s exertions at sea, John had dispatched Pedro da Corvilha; in effect a spy; into the Muslim world of the Indian Ocean to gain intelligence in preparation for the voyage. Da Gama knew where he was going and what to expect when he arrived.

The little fleet left Lisbon on 8 July 1497, followed the usual course of Portuguese mariners south to [[Sierra Leone]], then, at Diaz’s suggestion, sailed southward away from the [[African]] coast (and its unfavourable winds and currents) out and away into the Atlantic until, nearing the latitude of the [[Cape of Good Hope]], it turned eastward and made landfall about 300 miles north of the Cape. It took them nearly four weeks to round the Cape and pass Diaz’s point of return. They began moving slowly up the coast of present day [[Natal]], fighting the Mozambique current; until on Christmas Day they stood out to sea. It is conjectured that from here da Gama had information as to what lay ahead and could proceed with confidence.

The little fleet left Lisbon on 8 July 1497, followed the usual course of Portuguese mariners south to [[Sierra Leone]], then, at Diaz’s suggestion, sailed southward away from the [[African]] coast (and its unfavourable winds and currents) out and away into the Atlantic until, nearing the latitude of the [[Cape of Good Hope]], it turned eastward and made landfall about 300 miles north of the Cape. It took them nearly four weeks to round the Cape and pass Diaz’s point of return. They began moving slowly up the coast of present-day [[Natal]], fighting the Mozambique current; until on Christmas Day they stood out to sea. It is conjectured that from here da Gama had information as to what lay ahead and could proceed with confidence.

From 24 January they spent a number of weeks by the Quelimane River cleaning and repairing the ships. Then, on 1 March, they reached civilisation - Mocambique -  where they dined with the sultan and began negotiating the use of pilots  - which were to mislead them at every opportunity. Here, skirmishes happened between da Gama and the locals. The Europeans were forced to fire on them; and da Gama made for [[Mombasa]] with (kidnapped) pilots. Mombasa was unwelcoming, indeed treacherous, so the fleet sailed the 70 or so miles up the coast to Malindi, Mombasa’s rival in the area.

From 24 January they spent a number of weeks by the Quelimane River cleaning and repairing the ships. Then, on 1 March, they reached civilisation - Mocambique -  where they dined with the sultan and began negotiating the use of pilots  - which were to mislead them at every opportunity. Here, skirmishes happened between da Gama and the locals. The Europeans were forced to fire on them; and da Gama made for [[Mombasa]] with (kidnapped) pilots. Mombasa was unwelcoming, indeed treacherous, so the fleet sailed the 70 or so miles up the coast to Malindi, Mombasa’s rival in the area.