SO482 – SO482 – Bonhomme Richard Bonhomme Richard Project Project The Portuguese Seaborne EmpireThe Portuguese Seaborne Empire

Prince Henry the Navigator (1394-1460) and his sea-faring explorers. The ship model he holds Prince Henry the Navigator (1394-1460) and his sea-faring explorers. The ship model he holds in his hands is a caravel. in his hands is a caravel.

SO482 – SO482 – Bonhomme Richard Bonhomme Richard Project Project The Portuguese Seaborne EmThe Portuguese Seaborne Empirepire

Early Portuguese voyages along the coast of West Africa. From 1440 to 1460, more than 80 caravels set sail into the South Early Portuguese voyages along the coast of West Africa. From 1440 to 1460, more than 80 caravels set sail into the South Atlantic.Atlantic.

SO482 – SO482 – Bonhomme Richard Bonhomme Richard Project Project The Portuguese Seaborne EmpireThe Portuguese Seaborne Empire

The voyage of Bartholomeu Dias, during which he became the first Westerner to round the Cape The voyage of Bartholomeu Dias, during which he became the first Westerner to round the Cape of Good Hope. His squadron consisted of two caravels and a square-rigged support ship.of Good Hope. His squadron consisted of two caravels and a square-rigged support ship.

SO482 – SO482 – Bonhomme Richard Bonhomme Richard Project Project The Portuguese Seaborne EmpireThe Portuguese Seaborne Empire

Another view of Bartolomeu Dias’ voyage past the southern tip of Africa – and back! - in 1487.Another view of Bartolomeu Dias’ voyage past the southern tip of Africa – and back! - in 1487.

SO482 – SO482 – Bonhomme Richard Bonhomme Richard Project Project The Portuguese Seaborne EmpireThe Portuguese Seaborne Empire

The route taken by Vasco da Gama on his first voyage to India in 1497-98.The route taken by Vasco da Gama on his first voyage to India in 1497-98.

SO482 – SO482 – Bonhomme Richard Bonhomme Richard Project Project The Portuguese Seaborne EmpireThe Portuguese Seaborne Empire

Da Gama’s path to India.Da Gama’s path to India.

SO482 – SO482 – Bonhomme Richard Bonhomme Richard Project Project The Portuguese Seaborne EmpireThe Portuguese Seaborne Empire

Drawing of a 3-masted caravel from a book published in 1516. Compared to the relatively Drawing of a 3-masted caravel from a book published in 1516. Compared to the relatively massive carracks, the low profile and shallow draft of caravels reduced windage/leeway – a massive carracks, the low profile and shallow draft of caravels reduced windage/leeway – a major consideration when sailing in contrary currents and winds. major consideration when sailing in contrary currents and winds.

SO482 – SO482 – Bonhomme Richard Bonhomme Richard Project Project The Portuguese Seaborne EmpireThe Portuguese Seaborne Empire

A contemporary 15A contemporary 15thth-century sculpture illustrates a remarkable advance in ship design – the fore--century sculpture illustrates a remarkable advance in ship design – the fore-and-aft rigged caravel.and-aft rigged caravel.

SO482 – SO482 – Bonhomme Richard Bonhomme Richard Project Project The Portuguese Seaborne EmpireThe Portuguese Seaborne Empire

Compass rose. With their fore-and-aft rig, caravels could point to within four or four and a half points (45-50 Compass rose. With their fore-and-aft rig, caravels could point to within four or four and a half points (45-50 degrees) to the wind – a considerable improvement over square-rigged vessels (shown in green).degrees) to the wind – a considerable improvement over square-rigged vessels (shown in green).

SO482 – SO482 – Bonhomme Richard Bonhomme Richard Project Project The Portuguese Seaborne EmpireThe Portuguese Seaborne Empire

Currents encountered by Dias in his voyage of discovery past the tip of Africa in 1487. His Currents encountered by Dias in his voyage of discovery past the tip of Africa in 1487. His success was made possible in part by his use of caravels that could point higher to the wind than success was made possible in part by his use of caravels that could point higher to the wind than square-rigged carracks with their high sides and towering castles fore and aft.square-rigged carracks with their high sides and towering castles fore and aft.

SO482 – SO482 – Bonhomme Richard Bonhomme Richard Project Project The Portuguese Seaborne EmpireThe Portuguese Seaborne Empire

The Portuguese trading empire in the 16The Portuguese trading empire in the 16 thth century. The principal outposts were in Goa (India), century. The principal outposts were in Goa (India), Malacca (East Indies), Macau (China), and Nagasaki (Japan).Malacca (East Indies), Macau (China), and Nagasaki (Japan).

SO482 – SO482 – Bonhomme Richard Bonhomme Richard Project Project The Portuguese Seaborne EmpireThe Portuguese Seaborne Empire

Jan van Linschoten. In 1596 he published a journal of his travels in the Portuguese East, Jan van Linschoten. In 1596 he published a journal of his travels in the Portuguese East, including India and Mozambique. His account of this exotic land “aroused the envious greed of including India and Mozambique. His account of this exotic land “aroused the envious greed of the rest of Europe.” the rest of Europe.”

SO482 – SO482 – Bonhomme Richard Bonhomme Richard Project Project The Portuguese Seaborne EmpireThe Portuguese Seaborne Empire

In the picture to the left, a Portuguese merchant’s family is waited on literally hand and foot by In the picture to the left, a Portuguese merchant’s family is waited on literally hand and foot by native servants at Hormuz. The scene to the left depicts Portuguese gentlemen in Goa, India, native servants at Hormuz. The scene to the left depicts Portuguese gentlemen in Goa, India, attended by slaves. Linschoten wrote of them, “They step forward with a great pride and attended by slaves. Linschoten wrote of them, “They step forward with a great pride and vainglorious majesty, with a slave to keep the sun and rain from them.” vainglorious majesty, with a slave to keep the sun and rain from them.”

SO482 – SO482 – Bonhomme Richard Bonhomme Richard Project Project The Portuguese Seaborne Empire The Portuguese Seaborne Empire

Although hard to believe, nearly all these 15Although hard to believe, nearly all these 15 thth and 16 and 16thth-century voyages of discovery – even those of -century voyages of discovery – even those of Columbus – had but one goal in mind: to find a sea-borne route to the Orient. NB: Cano’s and de Columbus – had but one goal in mind: to find a sea-borne route to the Orient. NB: Cano’s and de [sic] Gama’s colors are reversed.[sic] Gama’s colors are reversed.