Accomplishments of the Explorations
Eannes's Route in 1434
In the early 1400s, no explorer has sailed past the Cape Bojador and returned alive, since the waters had strong currents and frequent violent storms. The Europeans called the oceans beyond there "the Sea of Darkness" and sailors refused to travel there. Prince Henry sent 14 expeditions there in 12 years to try to pass Cape Bajador, but it wasn't until 1434 that a Portuguese explorer Gil Eannes succeeded.
Gil Eannes agreed to sail the voyage under the persuasion of Prince Henry. Eannes's first trip down the coast of Africa was in 1433, but he he only sailed as far as the Canary Islands. In 1434, Eanne passed Cape Bojador and landed on the coastal desert. He did not find any people there, only a few coastal plants, including the "Saint Mary's Roses" which he brought back to Portugal as proof of his accomplishment.
Eannes made another trip in 1435 with Alfonso Goncalves Baldaya around Cape Bajador. 50 leagues into the Cape, a cavaran of men and camels were spotted. Eannes named the river Rio de Ouro (River of Gold) and Baldaya traveled further south and collected thousands of seal skins, which turned out to be the first commercial cargo brought from Europe from that part of Africa.
In 1455, Prince Henry sent Alvise da Cadamosto, who was an Italian explorer, on two expeditions. The first expedition was in 1455 where Cadamosto reached the mouth of Gambia river in West Africa. In 1456, Cadamosto traveled up the Gambia River to the Geba River where he tried trading with the Africans, but failed. He also claimed to have discovered the Cape Verde islands but is uncertain if he was the first person on the island.
In 1441, Prince Henry first became involved with the slave trade when Antao Goncalves brought captives back from Rio de Ouro. Another explorer, Nuno Tristao, reached Cabo Blanco that year also.
In 1458, Diego Holmes was sent by Prince Henry on an expedition that sailed to Cape Palmas. Prince Henry died the year that this expedition returned-1460.
Gil Eannes agreed to sail the voyage under the persuasion of Prince Henry. Eannes's first trip down the coast of Africa was in 1433, but he he only sailed as far as the Canary Islands. In 1434, Eanne passed Cape Bojador and landed on the coastal desert. He did not find any people there, only a few coastal plants, including the "Saint Mary's Roses" which he brought back to Portugal as proof of his accomplishment.
Eannes made another trip in 1435 with Alfonso Goncalves Baldaya around Cape Bajador. 50 leagues into the Cape, a cavaran of men and camels were spotted. Eannes named the river Rio de Ouro (River of Gold) and Baldaya traveled further south and collected thousands of seal skins, which turned out to be the first commercial cargo brought from Europe from that part of Africa.
In 1455, Prince Henry sent Alvise da Cadamosto, who was an Italian explorer, on two expeditions. The first expedition was in 1455 where Cadamosto reached the mouth of Gambia river in West Africa. In 1456, Cadamosto traveled up the Gambia River to the Geba River where he tried trading with the Africans, but failed. He also claimed to have discovered the Cape Verde islands but is uncertain if he was the first person on the island.
In 1441, Prince Henry first became involved with the slave trade when Antao Goncalves brought captives back from Rio de Ouro. Another explorer, Nuno Tristao, reached Cabo Blanco that year also.
In 1458, Diego Holmes was sent by Prince Henry on an expedition that sailed to Cape Palmas. Prince Henry died the year that this expedition returned-1460.