Vincent Ortega in Cabral's Expedition

Vincent Ortega's Expedition

Period: Mar 20, 1500 to Jun 23, 1501

Taking Count cont3

Mar 22, 1500

and meats hanging on the walls of the crowded space. I took a count of the supplies, and, around 2 hours later, returned to the deck with, er, heavier pockets, to find Cabral.

Taking Count

Mar 22, 1500

When my good friend Pédro Cabral informed me that he was chosen to command a fleet of 13 ships travelling to India, I was thrilled for him. For, Vasco da Gama had only been back in Portugal for 2 months since his successful trades in Asia, so the honor was immense. However, when he asked me to be his ship’s medical doctor, I was doubtful of my ability to keep a crew of 95 men healthy for over a year in terrible conditions as such on a ship.

Taking Count, cont2

Mar 22, 1500

asked Cabral if there was anything I could do to help the ship. He suggested that I go down into the hold to take count of the trading stores, as he needed to make plans for trade with any peoples we discover on our way. I swear to God, when I jumped off of the ladder onto the floor and turned around, I was catching flies with my gaping mouth.
There was mounds and mounds of gold in open crates, sabres and knives by the dozen, not to forget the wineskins and sacks of dried fruits

Taking Count, continued

Mar 22, 1500

Eventually he convinced me with flattery, arguing that, “My dear Vincent, no man can claim as much experience in a young 30 years as you!” I relented, so here I am, on a filthy, rat infested ship, miles and miles from home lacking adequate medical supplies. We’ve only been at sea for 2 days, and 3 crewmen have gotten seasick! Honestly, you’d think they wouldn’t hire men who can’t handle sailing.
A few hours ago, after I grew tired of counting my supplies, I asked Cabral if there was anything I

Spotting Land

Apr 19, 1500

We’ve spotted land! Aye, we’ve seen islands, but since a wind blew us much further west than we originally intended, we’ve not seen any recognizable landforms in a week. Cabral speculates it may indeed be part of the ‘West Indies’ Columbus discovered. Hopefully we’ll make it to shore within the next few days. Who knows? Perhaps I’ll be part of the scouting party, as I’ve been quite helpful on the ship in the past month or so, and not just as a doctor. The Commander, as the men call him, has had

Spotting Land 3

Apr 19, 1500

I’m just glad our food stores were well stocked.
Good-bye for now.

Spotting Land 2

Apr 19, 1500

the crew teach me how to be a proper sailor. I can climb the mast, man the rudder, hoist the sails, and, of course, swear, drink, and go unshaven! Cook has even taught me about eating like a sailor: don’t stop until your plate’s empty else someone will empty it for you.
I haven’t neglected my duties as the ship’s doctor, either. We’ve had a few cases of scurvy, dysentery, and even typhus. Most of the men who became ill survived, but there have been a few lost, sadly. I’m just glad our food sto

Reconnaissance Party

Apr 21, 1500

I’ve only got a few moments, so I won’t be writing much. We’re just about to set off for the land, and I’ll need to be rowing.
So, early this morning we came upon the shore of what Cabral is speculating to be a continent. Imagine it! An entire continent, soon to be claimed for Portugal.
Anyway, I’m part of the reconnaissance team to scout the land and to signal if all is well. Wish me luck!

Commander Landing

Apr 24, 1500

Everything was well, alright. Much different from what I expected.
When we arrived on shore, the first people we came upon were some of the natives, armed. We got them to put down their weapons and then we exchanged some gifts. Then we returned to the ship, excited to tell our tale and for our scribe, Caminha, to detail it.
Ah, but the land was gorgeous! The sand was a beautiful, almost pure tan and the soil I could spot from my standpoint dark.

Commander Landing 2

Apr 24, 1500

Trees towered above the natives, which were interesting themselves, to say the least.
They were all naked, and had vivid red and black paint over their bodies in fascinating design. They looked strong, and were tanned by the sun whose rays beat down upon us in the early afternoon.
I can scarce wait for the morrow, when Cabral shall see the shore.

Leaving for India Once Again

Apr 29, 1500

Today, we set sail for India. Funny, I was under the impression we did that already… Alas, we are to leave this beautiful paradise for uncertain waters and perhaps wilder lands than this. May God bless our journeys and grant us success in trade.
We conducted a ceremony, claiming the land for Portugal. It is named True Cross Island, and the cross we raised is truly stunning.

Leaving for India 3

Apr 29, 1500

According to the sailor Simόn, the winds tell of trouble. I pray we sail around it, but even the parrot is nervous saying ‘Tchau!’ to land. I must go, Henri is shouting at me to bandage his new wife’s leg. Sailors.

Leaving for India 2

Apr 29, 1500

However, there is a dark side. We are leaving men behind when we leave. Granted, they are criminals, but I still feel some guilt. It’s only natural, I suppose.
I assume they’ll do well here. The women are beautiful, the land plentiful, and a fresh start available. Good for them. I just do hope they don’t fall into the nasty habit of running around unclothed like savages, as they know better.

Storms

May 30, 1500

I am in shock. Why have I survived? Dear God, why have I survived?
Last night we lost so many good men. We lost 7 ships full of them. A bad wind, a strong current, a slip off the deck. That’s all it takes to kill a sailor. Good Lord, hundreds of them! In a single, dreadful night.

Storms 2

May 30, 1500

The scent of the salt in the air has never made me sick to my stomach, but this morning it does. Off in the distance this morning I desperately looked behind us for any surviving man on a floating crate. All I spotted was a body, being tossed about on the waves like a bone amongst dogs.
So, as I set a broken leg here, stitch a split knee there, I look every surviving sailor in the eye and say a soft prayer. “Pai, salva esse homem morto andando a partir das ondas escuras. Amém.”
Dead men walking

The Island Anjediva

Aug 25, 1500

After months of sailing, thankfully uneventful, we have landed to recuperate and prepare for landing in Calicut, the famed City of Spices. We landed on an island called, according to our maps, Anjediva.
The island isn’t incredibly large, but is still impressive. We’ve started to repaint the ships, damaged by the briny waters, and to collect any food sources we can off of the land. Some of the crew has made themselves sick off of the sweet fruits that can be found on the trees.

Anjediva 2

Aug 25, 1500

Although we’ve not forgotten the storm, the whole crew of the expedition has fresh faces at the thought of the riches to be found in India. I find myself smiling when they talk of the aromatic foods and beautiful women in the ports there, and last night Marcos even coaxed me to dance a little with the men around the bonfire. I suppose even medical practitioners need a little alcohol every once in awhile.
In a few more days we’ll set sail for Calicut. Be prepared, India. Cabral is coming.

Landing in Calicut

Sep 14, 1500

We’ve landed! Oh, this city is simply stunning. Carts and vendors line the streets, yelling their wares in multiple languages, and I even catch a few dashes of Portuguese. The air smells of spices, hot food, perfume, people, herbs, fresh flowers, livestock, and the sea under it all, melding them together into an intriguing and exciting scent.

Calicut 3

Sep 14, 1500

I could go on and on about it, but I must admit there are some stresses. An Arabian trade group doesn’t, er, want us here. But I’m sure we’ll convince them that Portugal is worthy to trade with.
Good-bye for now, I’ve got to assist Cabral with an infected elbow, the poor man.

Calicut 2

Sep 14, 1500

People in bright clothing bustle past, mothers herding their children along with scoldings and reassuring pats, men in turbans walking with purpose, young women beckoning towards the alleyways. I had to remind the men today that they had little to no money to keep them on track.
On every corner, street musicians play delightfully exotic music, dancers spinning around with tambourines and swishing skirts, prompting all who pass to stop for a moment to smile and clap to the beat.

Massacre in the City of Truth

Dec 22, 1500

Well, we are on the sea again, and I've never been more thankful for it. For weeks now, the head of the trading in Calicut, Aires Correia, has been whispering in Cabral's ear conspiracy theories about the Arab merchants.
According to him, they have banded together to keep us from buying the spices we need, and that's why we only have 2 ships full. If you ask me, it's really that he's been slacking off. Spending more time in the alleyways than the streets, if you catch my current.

Massacre 2

Dec 22, 1500

When Cabral took it into his own hands, it ended with a massacre of almost 70 of our men and countless others. I’ve lost all of my respect for the man who I once looked up to as an example. We’re sailing back to Portugal, and I intend to think on this more in the months it will take with our wounded ships.

Home

Jun 23, 1501

Home. Is it home? Is Portugal, the land I was born in, still home to me? Maybe it was to the man who stepped onto this ship 15 months ago, but to me, it doesn’t feel right. The ship is home now. But I must leave it, for though it is home the sight of its decks, stained with salt spray, stirs sorrow in me that is fueled by the things the whole crew has gone through.

Home 2

Jun 23, 1501

My trunk is being loaded into a carriage to travel to the king’s presence, for now we’re ‘national heroes’. Are the lives of hundreds of men worth spices, jewels, honour, glory, and new land? To Cabral, absolutely, but he doesn’t even remember the names of the young sailor who died from typhus 14 months ago. Jaimé, 17 years of age. He barely needed to shave.
92 men started on this ship, and now we have 30. God save our souls, for we are dead men walking.