Vasco de Ataíde facts for kids

Vasco de Ataíde was a Portuguese sailor. He was part of a big trip to India in the year 1500. This trip was led by Pedro Álvares Cabral.

Vasco de Ataíde's ship disappeared early in the journey. Because of this, his ship was not there when the rest of the fleet accidentally found Brazil. This was the first time Europeans were officially recorded in Brazil. We don't know much about Vasco de Ataíde. We know even less about him than his brother, Pêro de Ataíde.

The Missing Ship

On Tuesday, March 24, 1500, Vasco de Ataíde's ship vanished. It had 150 people on board. The ship disappeared after sailing west, towards where Brazil is today. Just the day before, the ship had left a Portuguese settlement. This place was called Cape Verde. It is an island group off the coast of West Africa.

What Happened to the Ship?

Pêro Vaz de Caminha was a writer on Cabral's trip. He kept a record of everything that happened. He wrote about Vasco de Ataíde's ship.

Pêro Vaz de Caminha said: "On the night of Monday, at sunrise, Vasco de Ataíde was lost from the fleet. There was not enough wind for this to happen. The captain tried his best to find it. But the ship was never seen again." This means the ship disappeared without a clear reason. The other ships tried to find it but could not.

The Cabral Expedition

The trip Vasco de Ataíde was on was very important. It was called the Second Portuguese India Armada. The main goal was to sail to India. They wanted to find a sea route for trade. India was known for valuable spices and goods.

Accidental Discovery of Brazil

During this journey, Cabral's fleet sailed further west than planned. This led them to the coast of South America. They landed in what is now Brazil. This was a big moment in history. It marked the first recorded European arrival in Brazil. Vasco de Ataíde's ship was not there for this discovery. It had already disappeared.