Portuguese expedition to the Moluccas
Portuguese voyage to reach the Spice Islands directly.
The Portuguese expedition to the Moluccas was a 1511-1512 voyage led by António de Abreu following the conquest of Malacca. Its aim was to discover and establish direct trade with the Spice Islands.
Quick Facts
- Nation
- Kingdom of Portugal
- Leader
- António de Abreu
- Departure date
- November 1511
- Return date
- December 1512
- Ships
- Santa Catarina
- Sabaia
- Unnamed caravel
- Participants
- 120 Portuguese sailors, 60 slaves and 2 native pilots
- Survivors
- 80 Portuguese sailors
- Goal
- Discover the Spice Islands (Banda Islands and Moluccas)
Facts from the source article.
Expedition
The fleet departed Malacca in November 1511 with three vessels. António de Abreu commanded the flagship Santa Catarina, piloted by Luís Botim. Francisco Serrão captained the Sabaia, with pilot Gonçalo de Oliveira, and Simão Afonso Bisagudo led the caravel, piloted by Francisco Rodrigues. The ships carried 120 Portuguese sailors, 60 slaves, and two native pilots. After navigating the Strait of Malacca and the northern Java coast, they stopped at Grissee for supplies. Serrão's Sabaia was wrecked off Sapudi Island near eastern Java, but the fleet continued eastward. In the Banda Islands they made first direct contact with the Spice Islands and acquired nutmeg and mace. On the return, Serrão's replacement junk was shipwrecked near the Lucipara Islands; he and nine survivors were rescued by local rulers. The two remaining ships reached Malacca in December 1512. Of the 120 sailors, 80 returned, 10 stayed, and 30 died.
More in Portuguese Exploration in the Age of Discovery
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