Vasco da Gama
Summary:
Vasco da Gama was born in 1460. He lived in and sailed for Portugal. He was most famous for being the first European to sail from Europe to India by going around Africa. He sailed in the years 1497-1499. Vasco da Gama was an extraordinary explorer and a hero.
Vasco da Gama was familiar with the sea at a young age. When he was 15, he became a sailor. Vasco da Gama's goal was to get to India by sailing. It cost a lot of money to travel on land, so he wanted to get to India in a faster, cheaper way. India was known for their spices. He took 150 men and a fleet of ships on his voyage. He faced may hardships on his journey. One hardship was a disease called scurvy, which killed many sailors. Sailors got scurvy due to a lack of vitamin C in their diet. Luckily, Vasco da Gama safely reached India and returned to Portugal. He brought back many good and riches. For completing his voyage, was called a hero in Portugal and became rich for his success.
This was not Vasco da Gama's only voyage. He had one and a half other trips as well. After reaching India, Vasco Da Gama sailed off again. His second voyage consisted of twenty armed ships sailing back to India to capture Arab ships. The goal was to show the might of the Portuguese navy. His next voyage I consider only a half voyage, because it was his last voyage. Shortly after arriving at his destination of India, he got sick and died. This was on December 24, 1524. Even so, Vasco da Gama is still known as one of the best sea captains in the country.
Sources:
www.ducksters.com/biography/explorers/vasco_da_gama.php
www.enchantedlearning.com/explorers/page/d/dagama.shtml
- Occupation: Explorer
- Born: 1460 in Sines, Portugal
- Died: December 23, 1524 in Kochi, India
- Best known for: The first European to sail from Europe to India around Africa
Summary:
Vasco da Gama was born in 1460. He lived in and sailed for Portugal. He was most famous for being the first European to sail from Europe to India by going around Africa. He sailed in the years 1497-1499. Vasco da Gama was an extraordinary explorer and a hero.
Vasco da Gama was familiar with the sea at a young age. When he was 15, he became a sailor. Vasco da Gama's goal was to get to India by sailing. It cost a lot of money to travel on land, so he wanted to get to India in a faster, cheaper way. India was known for their spices. He took 150 men and a fleet of ships on his voyage. He faced may hardships on his journey. One hardship was a disease called scurvy, which killed many sailors. Sailors got scurvy due to a lack of vitamin C in their diet. Luckily, Vasco da Gama safely reached India and returned to Portugal. He brought back many good and riches. For completing his voyage, was called a hero in Portugal and became rich for his success.
This was not Vasco da Gama's only voyage. He had one and a half other trips as well. After reaching India, Vasco Da Gama sailed off again. His second voyage consisted of twenty armed ships sailing back to India to capture Arab ships. The goal was to show the might of the Portuguese navy. His next voyage I consider only a half voyage, because it was his last voyage. Shortly after arriving at his destination of India, he got sick and died. This was on December 24, 1524. Even so, Vasco da Gama is still known as one of the best sea captains in the country.
Sources:
www.ducksters.com/biography/explorers/vasco_da_gama.php
www.enchantedlearning.com/explorers/page/d/dagama.shtml