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J. H. Parry, the maritime historian, considers Diaz to be “a fortunate as well as a brave and skillful navigator”. The Agulhas current at the southernmost point of Africa is a trap for the unwary mariner skirting the coast from the northwest; Diaz had avoided it with his deep-sea rounding of the Cape, and was able to note it on the way back, thereby giving valuable information to those who would follow.

J. H. Parry, the maritime historian, considers Diaz to be “a fortunate as well as a brave and skillful navigator”. The Agulhas current at the southernmost point of Africa is a trap for the unwary mariner skirting the coast from the northwest; Diaz had avoided it with his deep-sea rounding of the Cape, and was able to note it on the way back, thereby giving valuable information to those who would follow.

Diaz was supplied with two small caravels of the type that had been used for exploration for over half a century. They were not trading vessels. Nor was Diaz a trader, diplomat or soldier. When King Manoel sent Da Gama on his historic voyage to India a decade or so later it was an expedition designed for trade and diplomacy, and able to defend itself. It knew where it was going. Diaz himself was on that expedition.

Diaz was supplied with two small caravels of the type that had been used for exploration for over half a century. They were not trading vessels. Nor was Diaz a trader, diplomat or soldier. When King Manoel sent Da Gama on his historic voyage to India a decade or so later it was an expedition designed for trade and diplomacy, and able to defend itself. It knew where it was going. Diaz advised on the planning and route of that voyage.

 

In 1500 Diaz commanded a ship in [[Cabral]]'s expedition to India - his was one of four vessels lost in a storm in the south Atlantic.  

Reference: J. R. Parry; “The Age of Reconnaissance”.

Reference: J. R. Parry; “The Age of Reconnaissance”.