"Give me just the 'Frol de la Mar' and the 'Cirne'
and I'll conquer the whole of Asia"
(Afonso de Albuquerque)
February 12, 1502 - Lisbon, Portugal - Vasco da Gama sets sail to India with 20 warships, including the famous "Frol (flor) de la Mar", in the 4th Indies Armada, planned as a punitive expedition =(START)
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| Frol de la Mar, from "Livro das Armadas" ,1565 picture by Commander A.R.Costa |
March(?) 2(?), 1502 - Off Sierra Leone - speculative date - Vasco da Gama changes course to southwest, towards Brazil (Turn of the Sea)
March(?) 25(?), 1502 - Cape of Saint Augustine, 35km South of Recife, Brazil - Brief stop to take up fresh water - speculative date
April(?) 29(?), 1502 - Cape of Good Hope - The armada is scattered during violent storms around the Cape
June 10, 1502 - Island of Mozambique - Vasco da Gama returns to the Island of Mozambique, where he is now welcomed, out of fear
June(?) 28(?), 1502 - Island of Mozambique - The armada sets sail from Mozambique. A factory is established on the Island
July 12, 1502 - Quiloa (Kilwa Kisiwani, Tanzania) - The armada arrives in Quiloa and turns it tributary of Portugal - A Peace and commerce Treaty is signed
July 20, 1502 - Quiloa (Kilwa Kisiwani, Tanzania) - Vasco da Gama receives tribute from Emir Ibrahim of Quiloa
July 23, 1502 - Quiloa (Kilwa Kisiwani, Tanzania) - Estevão da Gama's ships, strayed at the Cape, reconnect to the main armada
July 28, 1502 - Melinde, (Mailindi), Kenya - Vasco da Gama anchors near Mailindi (Melinde) and sets sail for the Indian continente on the next day
August 15, 1502 - Dabul, between Goa and Mumbai - The portuguese armada arrives in India
August 20, 1502 - Angediva Island, Karwar, Índia - Sailing southwards for five days, Vasco da Gama reaches Angediva Island
August 24, 1502 - Rio de Onor (Honnavar, Índia) - The portuguese pursue an hindu corsair until Honnavar, where an Embassy is found
August 31, 1502 - Batecala (Bhatkal) - With business complete, Vasco da Gama sets sail to Cannanor
September 29, 1502 - Ezhimala, NW Cannanor - The armada anchors for a month at the port of Ezhimala, used by merchants and pilgrims to Mecca.
October 3, 1502 - Ezhimala, NW Cannanor - A large pilgrim ship is plundered and all aboard burned with artillery fire (A revenge action for the 70 portuguese killed in 1500)
October 18, 1502 - Cannanor - Arrival at Cannanor. Da Gama lands an ambassador that reached India with the Armada of Pedro Álvares Cabral. A factory is established
October 25, 1502 - Cannanor - Vasco da Gama sets sail towards Calicut
October 29, 1502 - Calicut - The armada makes its entrance at the port of Calicut
November 1, 1502 - Calicut - Naval bombardment of the city. In a ferocious act of retribution, Vasco da Gama takes a ship and orders the dismemberment of all 800 people aboard, and had the pile of remains sent to the Zamorin, to make "curry"
November 3, 1502 - Cochin - While Calicut is blockaded, Vasco da Gama arrives at Cochin with part of the Armada
November 19, 1502 - Cochin - The portuguese admiral receives messages and presentes from the syrian christian community from Cranganore
January 5, 1503 - Calicut - Vasco da Gama, alone with the "Frol de la Mar", is betrayed and attacked in the port. The ship manages to escape.
January(?) 22(?), 1503 - Cochin - Intelligence in Cochin inform that famous pirates joined the ranks of Calicut - 'Cojambar' (Khoja Ambar), and several large ships have slipped past the Portuguese blockade and were now in Calicut, joining the fighting fleet under the command of Calicut admiral 'Coja Casem' (Khoja Kassein). The assembled Calicut fleet is estimated at 20 large ships, 40 gun-mounted sambuks (large dhows) and an innumerable number of smaller oar-powered paraus, carrying several thousand armed men. Although a large Calicut fleet had failed against the much smaller 3rd Armada of João da Nova the previous year, the Zamorin might have calculated that the addition of the large ships and more experienced captains might tip the balance - particularly against the heavily loaded and less-maneuverable large naus of the 4th Armada.
February(?) 2(?), 1503 - Cochin - The armada sets sail to Cannanor in battle formation
February 6, 1503 - Cochin(?) - Oral agreement with the Zamorin for the establishment of a factory
February(?) 10(?), 1503 - Calicut - For the first time in naval history, the portuguese use a line of battle - the forces of Calicut are devastated
February 22, 1503 - Calicut - Vasco da Gama sets sail to Europe
March 25, 1503 - Off Seychelles Islands - As the portuguese admiral spots Seychelles Islands for the first time, he names them as "Admiral Islands"
April 13, 1503 - Island of Mozambique - The fleet passes by the Island of Mozambique on the way to Lisbon
July 12, 1503 - Mossel Bay (São Brás), South Africa(?) - Vasco da Gama's ships returning from India are sighted by Afonso de Albuquerque's fleet
July 15, 1503 - Cape of Good Hope - A storm at the Cape strays Estevão da Gama
November 10, 1503 - Lisbon, Portugal - Vasco da Gama arrives at Lisbon
March 25, 1505 - Lisbon, Portugal - Fernão de Magalhães (Ferdinand Magellan) departs to India in a fleet of 22 ships sent to host D. Francisco de Almeida as the first viceroy of Portuguese India. João da Nova is the captain of the "Frol de la Mar"
April 6, 1505 - Cape Verde Islands - The Armada sails through the Cape Verde Islands
April 12, 1505 - Porto de Ale (Petite-Côte, SE Dakar) - The Armada makes a brief stop at Porto de Ale to resupply
April 25, 1505 - Porto de Ale (Petite-Côte, SE Dakar) - Francisco de Almeida resumes voyage and divides his Armada in two squadrons
May 4, 1505 - Line of the Equator - One of the ships in Almeida's squadron, the "Bella", springs a leak and begins to founder. The crew and cargo are distributed among other ships. After Almeida sends the faster squadron ahead, his slower squadron is now reduced to 12 ships
June 26, 1505 - Cape of Good Hope - Francisco de Almeida's squadron doubles the Cape of Good Hope with some difficulty, meeting a violent storm on the other side, during which some ships are separated
July 3(?), 1505 - Primeiras Islands, SW Angoche, Mozambique - Almeida arrives at the Primeiras Islands and waits for the remaining ships
July 18, 1505 - Primeiras Islands, SW Angoche, Mozambique - Almeida's squadron is reassembled. Of the 12 ships in his squadron, Almeida finds himself missing only two ships. Hearing nothing about the other squadron, Almeida decides to press on and sets sail north to Quiloa
July 23, 1505 - Quiloa (Kilwa Kisiwani, Tanzania) - Almeida arrives at the island-state of Quiloa with 8 ships. Without receiving the annual tribute owed to the King of Portugal, he lands 500 soldiers and takes Quiloa without opposition. A Fortress is built
August 8, 1505 - Quiloa (Kilwa Kisiwani, Tanzania) - One of the missing ships of Almeida's squadron, the "Botafogo", arrives in Quiloa harbour and rejoins the others. He leaves instructions behind for the other squadron and departs from Quiloa, wary of the monsoon timing
August 13, 1505 - Mombasa - Almeida's fleet menacingly anchors before the island-city of Mombasa. Almeida sends out an ultimatum to Mombasa, offering peace in return for vassalship and tribute to Portugal.
August 14, 1505 - Mombasa - After the offer is rejected, the portuguese bombard and sack the city, taking 200 women as slaves.
August 27, 1505 - Mombasa - After sending news and his respects to the city of Mailindi, Almeida sets sail for India with 14 ships
September 13, 1505 - Angediva Island - Almeida alights on the Indian coast at the island of Anjediva. As per the orders received in Lisbon, Almeida immediately begins the construction of a Portuguese fortress on the island – Fort São Miguel of Angediva. He also erects the Church of Our Lady of Springs (Nossa Senhora das Brotas)
October 16, 1505 - Angediva Island - Almeida departs to Honnavar (Rio de Onor), the homebase of the Hindu corsair known as Timoja (or Timaya), who had caused some trouble to earlier armadas, and whom Almeida feared might yet cause trouble for Anjediva
October 18, 1505 - Rio de Onor (Honnavar, India) - Almeida believes his suspicious are confirmed when he sees a significant number of Arab ships, alongside Timoja's own, in Onor harbour. Almeida accuses Onor's rulers of breaking the proferred truce and orders an attack on the port city. Resistance is fierce, but the Portuguese manage to sack and burn the harbour and break into the city. As they approach the palace, the governor pleads for peace. Almeida, who had been wounded in the process, suspends the fighting. In the aftermath, the corsair Timoja and the governor of Onor agree to swear an oath of vassalage and promise not to molest the Portuguese in Anjediva
October 24, 1505 - Rio de Onor (Honnavar, India) - Almeida sails south to Cannanore
October 27(?), 1505 - Cannanore - Arrival at Cannanore. Almeida visits the portuguese factory there and secures permission from the Kolathiri Raja of Cannanore to build a portuguese fort in the city
October 30, 1505 - Cannanore - Almeida sets sail to Cochin
December 1, 1505 - Cochin - Almeida is informed that the portuguese in Quilon (Kollam) were massacred. He sends his son Lourenço de Almeida with 6 ships there, reinforces Fort Manuel at Cochin and delivers a golden crown as a gift from King Manuel I of Portugal to the King of Cochin
February 1(?), 1506 - Cochin - A third return fleet composed of two ships set sail to Portugal, carrying D.Francisco de Almeida's official report to King Manuel I and a baby indian elephant
April(?) 1(?), 1506 - Off Angoche Island, Mozambique - Springing leaks, she is forced to dock once again at Mozambique island for lengthy repairs
January(?) 15(?), 1507 - Island of Mozambique - João da Nova, with his ship "Frol de la Mar" arrives, laden with pepper but in need of urgent repairs
February 6, 1507 - Island of Mozambique - At the Island of Mozambique as Tristão da Cunha writes to King Manuel
February 14, 1507 - Island of Mozambique - Tristão da Cunha and Afonso de Albuquerque set sail to Mailindi
April 10, 1507 - Barawa, Somalia - Tristão da Cunha and Afonso de Albuquerque arrive at Barawa, an hostile city to the portuguese
April 13, 1507 - Barawa, Somalia - The portuguese depart from Barawa after sacking and burning the city
April 30(?), 1507 - Island of Socotra, Horn of Africa - The Armada arrives at Socotra Island. The portuguese land and take the fortress after a 3 hour fight
July 27, 1507 - Island of Socotra - Albuquerque and Tristan da Cunha divide forces and set sail in different directions
August 10, 1507 - Island of Socotra - Only ten days after the departure of Tristão da Cunha to India, the squadron of 6 ships sail out of the port of Coco, taking a northerly course, by way of Fartak and Zafar, in hopes of sighting the Bay of Curia Muria (Cirne, Frol de la Mar, Rey Grande, Rey Pequeno, Taforea + smaller ship)
August 22, 1507 - Qalhat, SE of Muscat - Albuquerque arrives at Qalhat. A peace agreement is made for supplies. The portuguese stay for 2 days
August 26, 1507 - Quriyat (Curiati), SE of Muscat - Albuquerque arrives at Quriyat, where the portuguese are not welcome. His envoy is almost hit by arrows and Albuquerque orders the ships to fire their guns
August 28, 1507 - Quriyat (Curiati), SE of Muscat - Albuquerque sacks and burns Quriyat aswell as the ships anchored in the harbor
September 2, 1507 - Muscat, Oman - The Portuguese arrive at Muscat. The governor accepts to pay tribute of "200 sheep, 400 bales of rice and 200 of dates", while the ships were supplied with water
September 4, 1507 - Muscat, Oman - 2,000 muslim soldiers arrive from Hormuz and attack the portuguese against the governor's will
September 5, 1507 - Muscat, Oman - Albuquerque defeats the muslims and sacks Muscat, leaving the governor's property untouched (although he is found dead)
September 11, 1507 - Muscat, Oman - João da Nova, captain of the "Frol de la Mar", sends a letter to Albuquerque asking him to leave the squadron and sail to India
September 16, 1507 - Sohar, NW of Muscat - After 8 days at Muscat, the portuguese arrive at Sohar. Many inhabitants flee, the rest submit to portuguese rule. Albuquerque orders that a Portuguese royal flag be hoisted on the top of the fortress tower
September 21, 1507 - Khor Fakkan, E. of U.A.E. - Albuquerque reaches Khor Fakkan. A detachment of 100 soldiers pursue the population that fled to the surrounding hills. The city is pillaged (some sources say burned aswell) but lightly, not to enrage the king of Hormuz, with whom the portuguese wanted to establish commerce
September 23, 1507 - Khor Fakkan, E. of U.A.E. - Albuquerque departs to Hormuz, expecting a large number of defenders and prepared for battle
September 26, 1507 - Hormuz - Albuquerque arrives at Hormuz late in the afternoon. The portuguese are attacked at once by the enemy fleet. Albuquerque opens fire with his ships' large caliber cannons. The "Cirne" quickly sinks two ships heavily loaded with soldiers in armor and weapons shining in the Sun. As the muslim ships begin being sunk or burned and soldiers fall to the water, Albuquerque and his men kill "an infinite" number of enemies in the water, using small boats, and gaining his reputation of "The Terrible". The portuguese land and take Hormuz
September 27, 1507 - Hormuz - Naval battle - portuguese victory
October 9, 1507 - Hormuz - Last engagement with the king of Hormuz. Albuquerque burns every ship anchored at the island. The King of Hormuz sends envoys asking for peace and surrendering the city
October 10, 1507 - Hormuz - Hormuz is formally taken, a peace treaty is sign and the portuguese flag is hoisted on the loftiest tower of the Royal Palace
October 17, 1507 - Hormuz - João da Nova writes another letter to Albuquerque asking for permition to sail to India with his ship "Frol de la Mar"
October 27, 1507 - Hormuz - João da Nova writes a third letter to Albuquerque asking permition to sail with his ship to India. Albuquerque denies him authorization
November 13, 1507 - Hormuz - The depositions of the disaffected captains are drawn up, in which it is alleged that Albuquerque had neglected the fortress of Socotra, and omitted the opportunity of sending the "Frol de la Mar" to India
December 8, 1507 - Hormuz - The same captains send a letter to King Manuel where they protest against the injuries they received from Afonso de Albuquerque because he refused to respond favorably to the request they had made to go to the Red Sea and send the ship "Frol de la Mar" to the viceroy in India, and that he would provide the fortress of Socotra
January 5, 1508 - Hormuz - A remonstrance signed by all the captains is handed to Albuquerque, wherein they declare their intention of no longer co-operating with him in the siege
January 11(?), 1508 - Hormuz | Kishm Island - After skirmishes at Kishm Island, Albuquerque abandons his position and sets sail to Socotra. João da Nova is sent in the "Frol de la Mar" to the Viceroy in India
February 6, 1508 - Hormuz - Albuquerque departs to Socotra, worried with the situation there and the weakening of his forces
February 15(?), 1508 - On the way to Socotra - João da Nova and the "Frol de la Mar" change course to India
March(?) 1(?), 1508 - Cannanore - João da Nova and the "Frol de la Mar" return to India
December 4, 1508 - Cannanore - Albuquerque's ships are greeted by the Viceroy aboard the "Frol de la Mar" and other vessels
December 29, 1508 - Dabul (Dabhol, India) - On his way to Diu, Francisco de Almeida defeats a combined fleet of the Kingdom of Cambay. After bombarding Dabul, portuguese soldiers land, slaughter and burn everyone in the town, in the bloodiest episode in Portuguese India (together with Vasco da Gama's destruction of a hajj pilgrim ship)
January 5, 1509 - Dabul (Dabhol, India) - Francisco de Almeida departs to Diu, taking the "Frol de la Mar"
February 3, 1509 - Diu - Great Battle of Diu - Decisive portuguese victory over an alliance of ottoman turks, mamelukes, gujaratis, venetians and ragusans
March 8, 1509 - Cochin - Francisco de Almeida returns triumphant to Cochin
August 25, 1510 - Cannanore - Albuquerque begins to issue "mandates" of payments from the "Frol de la Mar"
April 20(?), 1511 - Goa - Afonso de Albuquerque sets sail to Malacca. He takes the risk of taking his flagship "Frol de la Mar" in urgent need of refit. Ferdinand Magellan (Fernão de Magalhães) goes on the expedition
April 24, 1511 - Cannanore - Albuquerque loads the ships with cambaia (Khambhat) fabrics, which would be needed for trading with Malacca
April 27, 1511 - Cannanore - Sails to Cochin
April 30, 1511 - Cochin - Albuquerque arrives at Cochin
May 2, 1511 - Cochin - Albuquerque sets sail to Malacca
June(?) 1(?), 1511 - Pedir (Pidie, Sumatra) - Arrival at Aceh after a storm east of Ceylon (where a galley is lost). Albuquerque is visited by the king of Pedir and joined by survivors of Lopes de Sequeira's 1509 Malacca expedition. Albuquerque asks for Nehodah Beguea, the "moor" who betrayed the portuguese, to make justice. The king agrees but secretly allows Beguea to depart and warn Malacca
June(?) 10(?), 1511 - Pacem/Pasay/Pacer (Bay E. Of Lhokseumawe, Aceh) - Stop at Pacem. The fleet is visited by the ruling king
June 23, 1511 - Pulo Berhala (Lat. of Perak - long. of Kuala Lumpur) - Near "Polvoreira Island" (Pulo Berhala), Albuquerque sees a huge junk (600 to 700 tons) and for two days attacks it with the "Frol de la Mar". (This island probably changed its name in the last decades, and can be found in the latitude of Perak, Malaysia and longitude of Kuala Lumpur, at the center of Malacca Strait)
July 1, 1511 - Off Malacca - The fleet arrives off Malacca after taking two more junks. The portuguese are surprised by the size of the city
July 25, 1511 - Malacca - The first assault to Malacca fails
August 15, 1511 - Malacca - Conquest of Malacca, which ends the muslim and venetian trade
October 25, 1511 - Malacca - The portuguese complete the construction of a Fortress at Malacca, the "famous" (A Famosa)
January 20, 1512 - Malacca - Albuquerque sets sail to Cochin aboard the "Frol de la Mar", again taking the risk of loading treasures from Malacca and Siam in his flagship in urgent need of refit after ten years of service. The "Trindade", "Enxobregas" and a captured junk follow
January 26, 1512 - Karang Timau area, NE tip of Sumatra - On its way back to India, Albuquerque's fleet, sailing during the night along the coast of Sumatra, is hit by a terrible typhoon with huge waves and thunder. Trying to find refuge on the coast, the flagship "Frol de la Mar", loaded with treasures from Malacca and Siam, is wrecked on the beach. Her old and rotten body opens itself and the ship is cut in two pieces. Her back completely embedded in the sand is demolished by the waves. The portuguese Viceroy saves himself with an improvised raft =(END)
Bibliography:
GARCIA, José Manuel, O Terrível - A grande biografia de Afonso de Albuquerque, Lisboa, A Esfera dos Livros, 2017 (ISBN 978-989-262-845-9)
SANCEAU, Elaine, Afonso de Albuquerque - o sonho da Índia, Porto, Livraria Civilização, 1960
SANCEAU, Elaine, Afonso de Albuquerque - o sonho da Índia, Porto, Livraria Civilização, 1960
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