Bartolomeu Dias

Achievements

Early Achievements

Bartolomeu Dias early achievements were quite impressive, he was a Knight of the Royal Court, a superintendent to the Royal Warehouses and a sailing master of the man of war known as Saint Christopher.

Help Build Ships

Bartolomeu Dias helped to build ships for exploration and for finding a route to India while avoiding the middle east. Most notably, he assisted Vasco Da Gama in building his ship.

Opening the Sea Route to Asia (Main Achievement)

But by far Bartolomeu biggest achievement is the fact that he was the first European Mariner to round the Southern tip of Africa.

The Cape of Good Hope is a headland on the Atlantic coast side of South Africa. A common misconception is that the Cape of Good Hope is the southern tip of Africa.

TheCape of Good Hope was originally named Cape of Storms by Bartolomeu Dias butwas changed as it was a sign of good hope for finding a sea route to India. The Cape of good hope marks the point where ships begin to travel more eastward/towards Asia that southward. This was considered a very big milestone for the ultimate goal, to secure a direct trade with Asia (India mostly).

2nd and 3rd Trip to the Cape of Good Hope

Joining Vasco Da Gama, Dias took a second trip to try to reach India but was forced to turn back while Vasco Da Gama reached. Bartolomeu tried a 3rd time but when he approached the Cape of Good Hope his ship sunk and drowned.