Vasco da Gama set sail for India July 8, 1497
Portuguese explorer and master navigator Vasco da Gama set sail from Lisbon July 8, 1497 on the first direct from Europe to India voyage.
On 8 July 1497 Vasco da Gama sailed from Lisbon with a fleet of four ships with a crew of 170 men from Lisbon. Da Gama commanded the Sao Gabriel. Paulo da Gama – brother to Vasco – commanded the São Rafael, a three masted ship. There was also the caravel Berrio, and a storeship São Maria. Bartolomeu Dias also sailed with da Gama, and gave helpful advice for navigating down the African coast. They sailed past the Canary Islands, and reached the Cape Verde islands by July 26. They stayed about a week, then continued sailing on August 3. To help avoid the storms and strong currents near the Gulf of Guinea, da Gama and his fleet sailed out into the South Atlantic and swung down to the Cape of Good Hope. Storms still delayed them for a while. They rounded the cape on November 22 and three days later anchored at Mossel Bay, South Africa. They began sailing again on December 8. They anchored for a bit in January near Mozambique at the Rio do Cobre (Copper River) and continued on until they reached the Rio dos Bons Sinais (River of Good Omens). Here they erected a statue in the name of Portugal.
https://exploration.marinersmuseum.org/subject/vasco-da-gama/
I picked Vasco da Gama for today because many of the stamps featuring him are a cut above the usual staid design.The bold colours bring the stamps to life and I love them for that. New Caledonia had a field day with their 1998 trio going heavy on deep royal and sea blues.
For the 1998 World Philatelic Exhibition held in Portugal. Vasco da Gama / his ship / Map of Voyage to India
Issued by New Caledonia in 1998
For contrast, here’s an earlier, pretty typical styling from the 192s, although not the best print quality.
Vasco da Gama
Issued by Portuguese India in 1925
Designer: P. Ramos
And a look at Vasco da Gama would not be complete without a set from Portugal. This set, issued for the 500th anniversary of his birth featured an interesting mix of European art and Hindu artistic elements.
Vasco da Gama (1469-1524) sea farer & explorer / Map with the 1st route to India / da Gama’s Fleet / de Gama Coat of Arms
Issued in 1969 by Portugal
For the 5th Centenary of the Birth of Vasco da Gama
Designer: Jaime Martins Barata
They stayed here for a month because much of the crew were sick from scurvy – a disease caused by lack of Vitamin C. Da Gama’s fleet eventually began sailing again. On March 2 they reached the Island of Mozambique. After trading with the local Muslim merchants, da Gama sailed on once more stopping briefly in Malindi (in present day Kenya). He hired a pilot to help him navigate through the Indian Ocean. They sailed for 23 days, and on May 20, 1498 they reached India.7 They headed for Kappad, India near the large city of Calicut. In Calicut, da Gama met with the king. But the king of Calicut was not impressed with da Gama, and the gifts he brought as offering. They spent several months trading in India, and studying their customs. They left India at the end of August. He visited the Anjidiv Island near Goa, and then once more stopped in Malindi in January 1499. Many of his crew were dying of scurvy. He had the São Rafael burned to help contain the illness. Da Gama finally returned to Portugal in September 1499. Manuel I praised da Gama’s success, and gave him money and a new title of admir
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