E
elsalvador
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Extracted from ?Chronicles of Shipwrecks and Sunken Treasure 900-1900? available from SevenSeasPublishing.com
1635 & 1636
(4) In 1634 a colossal galleon called the Nossa Senhora de Belem, arrived in India from Portugal and three times thereafter collided with sunken reefs which required significant repairs to the hull and planking. In addition, shipwrights also replaced the old masts and yards with new ones and warned officials of other structural weaknesses found throughout the ship. On February 4th the following year the repairs were still incomplete when the problem plagued but abundantly loaded galleon sailed, having embarked nearly 200 people, most of whom were returning home from India to regain their health.
Only hours after departing heavy leaking developed, forcing slaves and passengers alike to work day and night expelling the water with two wheel manipulated bilge pumps called ?bombas de roda.? (Footnote #1). Then in latitude 05 South, heavy rainfall began, making working the pumps even more laborious. Afterwards on May 1st, lookouts sighted the Ilha de Rodrigo and although winds were favorable for sailing directly for the Cabo de Boa Esperanca, the captain always kept heading the ship in a southerly direction.
About one week later, when in latitude 34 South, the wind changed to the west-northwest and next to northwest with threatening intensity. At that point cadet Jose Cabreira appeared before the chief officers appealing they navigate at once for the nearest harbor, but courses prescribed by the captain continued being steered until land was sighted on June 28th. By then cargo was already awash in the stowage holds pounding wildly into weakened planking and everyone aboard expected sinking was momentarily forthcoming. However with encouragement that land was near, they enjoined with bailing and aiming for the coast, the waterlogged hull reached the mouth of the Rio da Praia and soon disintegrated under pounding waves. (Footnote #2).
The survivors afterwards established camps on the beach and began collecting wood and other essentials cast ashore from the wreck. Eventually they constructed two small vessels which received the names Senhora da Natividade and Boa Viagem and both sailed from the river on January 10th 1636. Taking command of the former vessel was Jose Cabreira who estimated a Dutch settlement was located 170 leagues southwestward at Cabo de Boa Esperanca.(Footnote #3).
Subsequently his ship rounded the said promontory and entered Alagoa Bay, where having obtained fresh provisions, he continued navigating to the country of Angola, arriving there safely on March 10th. He then resumed the voyage steering for Brazil, where the survivors ultimately found passage home to Portugal aboard other ships of their nation. Mr. Cabreira later said he believed the Boa Viagem had foundered soon after departing from the campsites.
Footnote #1 : As far as known, this was the first time a wheel manipulated bilge pump was used aboard a ship.
Footnote #2 : The Rio da Praia is located in southeastern South Africa on the Terra do Natal coast. The river ?may? today be know by its native Africa name Umzimvubu.
Footnote #3 : Cabo de Boa Esperanca is Portuguese for Cape of Good Hope.
1635 & 1636
(4) In 1634 a colossal galleon called the Nossa Senhora de Belem, arrived in India from Portugal and three times thereafter collided with sunken reefs which required significant repairs to the hull and planking. In addition, shipwrights also replaced the old masts and yards with new ones and warned officials of other structural weaknesses found throughout the ship. On February 4th the following year the repairs were still incomplete when the problem plagued but abundantly loaded galleon sailed, having embarked nearly 200 people, most of whom were returning home from India to regain their health.
Only hours after departing heavy leaking developed, forcing slaves and passengers alike to work day and night expelling the water with two wheel manipulated bilge pumps called ?bombas de roda.? (Footnote #1). Then in latitude 05 South, heavy rainfall began, making working the pumps even more laborious. Afterwards on May 1st, lookouts sighted the Ilha de Rodrigo and although winds were favorable for sailing directly for the Cabo de Boa Esperanca, the captain always kept heading the ship in a southerly direction.
About one week later, when in latitude 34 South, the wind changed to the west-northwest and next to northwest with threatening intensity. At that point cadet Jose Cabreira appeared before the chief officers appealing they navigate at once for the nearest harbor, but courses prescribed by the captain continued being steered until land was sighted on June 28th. By then cargo was already awash in the stowage holds pounding wildly into weakened planking and everyone aboard expected sinking was momentarily forthcoming. However with encouragement that land was near, they enjoined with bailing and aiming for the coast, the waterlogged hull reached the mouth of the Rio da Praia and soon disintegrated under pounding waves. (Footnote #2).
The survivors afterwards established camps on the beach and began collecting wood and other essentials cast ashore from the wreck. Eventually they constructed two small vessels which received the names Senhora da Natividade and Boa Viagem and both sailed from the river on January 10th 1636. Taking command of the former vessel was Jose Cabreira who estimated a Dutch settlement was located 170 leagues southwestward at Cabo de Boa Esperanca.(Footnote #3).
Subsequently his ship rounded the said promontory and entered Alagoa Bay, where having obtained fresh provisions, he continued navigating to the country of Angola, arriving there safely on March 10th. He then resumed the voyage steering for Brazil, where the survivors ultimately found passage home to Portugal aboard other ships of their nation. Mr. Cabreira later said he believed the Boa Viagem had foundered soon after departing from the campsites.
Footnote #1 : As far as known, this was the first time a wheel manipulated bilge pump was used aboard a ship.
Footnote #2 : The Rio da Praia is located in southeastern South Africa on the Terra do Natal coast. The river ?may? today be know by its native Africa name Umzimvubu.
Footnote #3 : Cabo de Boa Esperanca is Portuguese for Cape of Good Hope.
