Trading in the 1500s

Setting out on an adventure

Sep 28, 1512

An expedition is to set out next month. It is to take out from Lisbon, Portugual. I will be one of the crew memberd among the larger of 2 ships. The ship houses about 100 men each, and the second about 75. So no more than 200 men are to be aboard. It is unlikely that the trip will be a short one. The expidention is one for merchandising, mostly in Asia, we have packed tradable goods, in the hopes of merchandising. We are to head South, passing Africa, then NorthEast, to India.

Foot in Cannanore

Dec 17, 1512

He have finally reached the African port of Cannanore after a long 3 month journey. Our suppies are still plentiful, with much to share, but I'm afraid the numbers will dwindle. Though Cannanore is owned by our home country, many of the men trade with the natives. We had recieved cloth, alchohol, iron, and copper. Along with jewelry, beads, mechanical toys and curiosities. Of course, they had recieved spices, textiles, carvings, ivory and gum in return.

Long awaited Deportation

Jan 5, 1513

Just as I had feared, a large storm had hit Comubia, and one of our ships. This had left us with a single ship housing but 100 men, leaving a total of 73 men with no space to return. Along with the ship being damaged beyond repair, many supplies were lost, this includes items we had recieved from Cannanore, Columbia, and our own merchandise. Captain decided to leave behind about 60 men, some volenteers, rest just got kicked, Despite the major cut, we are still overpopulated.

Difficulties to Columbia

Jan 13, 1513

Everything had been smooth for the first few months, but things are getting rougher now. Food is beggining to become scarce, and we cannot find anything that does not make us ill. We arrived in Columbia, a southern African port, about 2 weeks ago. Nothing is keeping us here but the trechereous storms and winds, I fear a larger storm is to come. Hopefully our ships, which have been docked at the harbour for the entirity of our stay, do not get damaged too the point of abandoment.

Aftermath and Matara (part 2)

Mar 25, 1513

The trading here was nothing special, it was mostly to replace things we had lost. I do, however, very much enjoy this location, despite the perplexed emotions I am expierencing, I feel relaxed when I look beyond the horizon, further into the wilderness of this vast land, it's of nothing I've seen. It's lush, green, and warm.

Aftermath and Matara (part 1)

Mar 25, 1513

The storm memtioned last log had not only met my fears, but exceded them, The smaller ship had been damged beyond repair, even a few men were injured in the storm. The storm left merely hours later, taking along many of our supplies gathered from previous trades, and leaving nothing as it was. He had to leave behind anout 60 of the men, and yet we were still over populated on the ship. Alas the remaining crew members (me, included) had set out to Matara which was fairly close.

Cochin

Apr 24, 1513

It was decided that taking an early departure was wise, after the damage, and the failure to bring all of our member back to Portugual, or atleast Europe. So we turned the ship around after trading in Matara, and have decided to stop my a port we had passed on the way, Cochin. The port seemed promising. We recieved there famous pepper, hopefully it will sell well at home.

Malacca

Jun 2, 1513

Plans changed after the captain decided we hadn't enough supplies to return, so it was decided to stop in Malacca, since it's such a criticial stopping point to gather spices. In the end that what we got, and not much else. So, after this captain says we will return, but I don't know if all the men believe him, since the last event change. Almost seems like mutiny is arising.

Mutany and Illness

Aug 24, 1513

Things just keep get worse and worse aboard. More men then food. We eat moldy, hard bread nearly every meal. Captain gets angry really easily when he's hungry. It's gotten so bad that most men are thinking about revolting. I can't really blame them. Either way, we can only hope we all make it back to Portugual.

Home

Feb 3, 1514

We've finally reached Portugual. The men that were left behind are to be picked up next expedition. It's an understatment to say the govenment was not pleased iwth us. It the end, every one survivied. There was no excitement after last log, nothing happened. A few men got sick, rest just starved, most of us made it though. I regret ever wanting to explore the sea, it has caused more bad than good.