1-156-387 - Ann Ronan Picture Library/Heritage-Images

Vasco da Gama's fleet at sea, 1497. In 1497, Vasco da Gama (c1469-1525), Portuguese navigator, became the first westerner to round the Cape of Good Hope, the tip of South Africa, before sailing to Asia. This enabled the Portuguese to secure a monopoly on the lucrative spice trade. Da Gama's ship the 'Sao Raphael' is the leading one of the two ships under sail. From the Pierpoint Morgan Library.