Date: Wed, 18 Mar 2015 07:33:24 -0400
Alvares and his crew landed in Massawa in 1520. After meeting with Bahri
Negasi, he went to Debre Bizen where he stayed for three months. Then
through May-Habar, he traveled across Zalote (Tselot) leading to his first
destination: Debarwa, which was the seat of Bhari Negasi (the King of the Sea).
Some of his crew died on their long and arduous journey, and buried at
Debre Bizen.
According to the history of ships and boats, Father Francesco Alvares
used a typical Portuguese ship known as "Caravel" in his traveling expedition
to Abyssinia. A brief description of this ship goes as the following:-
" In Sixteenth century the Portuguese had begun nosing their way along
the West African coast, an area of difficult currents, foul winds, and
exasperating calms. What they needed was a vessel that was light enough to stay
near shore and move in light airs, and that was also able to sail close to
the wind. Their solution was the Caravel, a small, slender-hulled ship
carrying three lateen sails. It was ideal for voyages exploration; Nina, for
example, was Columbus's favorite craft. For the long haul downhill before the
easterly trades Columbus rerigged his two caravels, replacing the lateens
on fore and main with square sails. The switch was a wise one: in the next
century a large type of caravel made its debut, one which , to combine
efficiency both off and on the wind, added a square -rigged foremast to the
three with lateen sails." (P. 90).
Source: ( Lionel Casson, 1964.) Illustrated History of Ships and Boats.
P.90
-Haile
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