Sighting of Tristan da Cunha by Tristão da Cunha (1506)

In 1506, Portuguese naval commander Tristão da Cunha sighted the remote volcanic islands of the South Atlantic. Although rough seas prevented a landing, he named the main island after himself, a designation later anglicized to Tristan da Cunha.

Episodes

Background and detail

Maritime Context. Tristão da Cunha was a Portuguese explorer and naval commander active in the early 16th century. In 1506, he was appointed commander of a fleet of 15 ships sent to the east coast of Africa and off India. The islands he encountered are described as a remote group of volcanic islands in the South Atlantic Ocean.

Sighting and Naming. In 1506, Tristão da Cunha sighted the islands, which are described as a remote group of volcanic islands. Rough seas prevented a landing. Nevertheless, Cunha named the main island 'Ilha de Tristão da Cunha' after himself, a name that was later anglicized to Tristan da Cunha on British Admiralty charts.

People involved

Sources

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