Portuguese navigator Bartolomeu Dias is considered to be one of the first European explorers of the World Ocean. In his most famous voyage, the sailor circled Africa.
Many moments in the biography of the great navigator Bartolomeu Dias remain unknown. The future explorer was born in 1450. He was educated as a sailor at the University of Lisbon.
Maiden voyage
For sailors, the leading disciplines were mathematics and astronomy. The young man who studied them perfectly decided to associate his life with sea travel. He began work at the port. In his time, the world was limited to the borders of the continent, and they also knew about Africa and Asia. In the era of the Late Middle Ages, technical progress began. New ships were built, instruments were invented that made it easier to plot a course.
The first expedition took place in 1481. Exploration of the west coast of Africa has barely begun. Diash participated in the construction of Elmina, a fort in what is now Ghana. The fortress served as the main transshipment base for the Portuguese. European rulers dreamed of a shortcut to India, wanting to surpass their neighbors in wealth.
Portugal fought the main battle at sea with Spain. King João II was personally interested in the exploration of the West African coast. He wanted to find out the size of the mainland, whether it is possible to go around it by sea.
In 1474, the state funded the expedition of Diogo Cana. Dias became the companion of the experienced sailor. The explorers made it to Angola, opening up new frontiers for the followers. After Caen's death, the members of the expedition returned to Lisbon.
New research
The ruler of Portugal assembled a new fleet with Dias at the head of the squadron. One of the three ships was commanded by the brother of Bartolomeu Diogo.
All six dozen participants were experienced sailors. Everyone has been to Africa, they knew the coastal waters perfectly, and the safe routes. The ships sailed from their native shores in the summer of 1487. By the end of the year, the ships crossed the boundary of the last voyage. For some time, due to the onset of storms, the fleet was forced to be on the high seas.
Having sailed across the South Atlantic during January, the team realized that they had lost their course. On February 3, African land finally appeared astern. Sailing past its southernmost point on the mainland, the sailors noticed green hills. On the shore, the team saw the most picturesque landscapes.
The area was named Pastukhov's Bay. The Hottentots living in it were wary of strangers. Europeans left inhospitable shores in search of more peaceful places. Due to the unpredictability of the outcome, none of the participants knew what awaited on the new shore.
Having sailed east, the Portuguese demanded to return home. Dias was against the termination of the expedition. However, due to the threat of an outbreak of the epidemic, the requirements had to give way. On the way back, the sailors came to the shore of the Cape of Good Hope. The southern point of the continent is called the Cape of Storms. In 1488 the shortest sea route to India was opened, but Bartolomeu never managed to visit this country. He became a harbinger of discovery. 16 months later, the squadron returned to its homeland.
The last expedition
Not a word was said about the discoveries made. In order to keep the secret from the rival with the state of Spain, even evidence of a meeting between Dias and the king is gone. Historians have not been able to find out the models of the ships of the Portuguese. For a long time, the king could not decide on a new trip.
Only by 1497 were ships sent to India from Vasco da Gama. Bartolomeu received a different assignment. He was appointed head of the construction of the ships. The navigator knew perfectly well what to prepare for in the eastern seas. According to his designs, reliable ships were created, which subsequently did not let the crews down. Diash became the commandant of the fortress on the Gold Coast.
Until the very fort, he accompanied the travelers of Vasco da Gama. Dias's speculation about India was confirmed a few years later. Da Gama reached the target country following the directions of an experienced researcher.
Expensive oriental goods were sent to Portugal, turning the small state into one of the richest in Europe. The last discovery was an expedition to the shores of Brazil.
The Portuguese began to look for India in an easterly direction. The main rivals, the Spaniards, headed west. America was discovered by Columbus in 1492. The Portuguese were interested in the news of a new and hitherto unknown continent. The king financed several trips to get ahead of the Spaniards.
Memory of the sailor
At that time, an immutable rule was in force, according to which the open land retreated to the country that equipped ships for it. In 1550, the ship under the direction of Bartolomeu reached the Brazilian coast. The Portuguese sailors sailed south of the Spaniards.
The trip had impressive results. The endless coast made Europeans wonder whether the road to India is in front of them or the road to a new part of the world. On the way back, May 29, 1500, the squadron got into a terrible storm. The brave sailor's ship has vanished.
In memory of him, Tap Portugal named the aircraft Airbus A330. The name of the researcher was immortalized in their works by famous poets of Portugal.
Bartolomeu Dias managed to organize his personal life. Nothing is known about the identity of his wife. But it was established that two children were born in the family, the sons of Samau and Antoniu.
The grandson of the famous navigator Paulo Dias de Novais was the first governor of Angola and founded the city of Luanda.
