The very first European to see the treacherous Cape of Good Hope at the southern tip of Africa was Bartolomeu Dias, a brave and intelligent Portuguese sea captain and adventurer. Dias was one of the great Portuguese sailor who helped find the southeastern water route between western Europe and Asia. As a youth Dias entered the hazardous gold and ivory trade along the African Gold Coast and rose to the rank of captain. At this time the Italian cities were growing rich on their trade with India and the Far East. Portugal and other European nations were eager for a share of this trade. However, the Italians controlled the Mediterranean, which was the chief trade route to the East. The Portuguese dreamed of finding an all-water route around Africa. The groundwork was laid by Prince Henry, who had sent ships on voyages down the African coast. Exploration continued under his nephew, King John II. When Diego Cam returned to Portugal with word that he had sailed past the mouth of the Congo River, John planned to send another expedition to sail even closer to the southern end of the continent. He chose Dias to lead the venture. With two caravels and a storeship Dias left Lisbon in August 1487. He sailed straight from Cape Palmas to the mouth of the Congo, then kept close to the coast until he reached Cabo da Volta. About New Year's Day 1488 a gale hit his ships and blew them southward, past the southernmost tip of land. After 13 days he managed to turn east, but found no sheltering shore. Turning north, he sighted Mossel Bay, beyond the Cape of Good Hope. Unknowingly and out of sight of land, he had rounded the cape.
Bartolomeu Dias
Prince Henry's nephew.http://www.thepirateking.com (c) to the photograph above.
The very first European to see the treacherous Cape of Good Hope at the southern tip of Africa was Bartolomeu Dias, a brave and intelligent Portuguese sea captain and adventurer. Dias was one of the great Portuguese sailor who helped find the southeastern water route between western Europe and Asia. As a youth Dias entered the hazardous gold and ivory trade along the African Gold Coast and rose to the rank of captain. At this time the Italian cities were growing rich on their trade with India and the Far East. Portugal and other European nations were eager for a share of this trade. However, the Italians controlled the Mediterranean, which was the chief trade route to the East. The Portuguese dreamed of finding an all-water route around Africa. The groundwork was laid by Prince Henry, who had sent ships on voyages down the African coast. Exploration continued under his nephew, King John II. When Diego Cam returned to Portugal with word that he had sailed past the mouth of the Congo River, John planned to send another expedition to sail even closer to the southern end of the continent. He chose Dias to lead the venture. With two caravels and a storeship Dias left Lisbon in August 1487. He sailed straight from Cape Palmas to the mouth of the Congo, then kept close to the coast until he reached Cabo da Volta. About New Year's Day 1488 a gale hit his ships and blew them southward, past the southernmost tip of land. After 13 days he managed to turn east, but found no sheltering shore. Turning north, he sighted Mossel Bay, beyond the Cape of Good Hope. Unknowingly and out of sight of land, he had rounded the cape.