Bartolomeu Dias Reaches Mossel Bay
Portuguese explorers in the late 15th century sought a sea route around Africa to access Asian spices and markets, driven by competition with overland traders. Bartolomeu Dias's expedition endured storms that pushed his ships far offshore in early 1488. On February 3, the crew sighted land at what became known as Mossel Bay on South Africa's southern coast, marking the first European landing there after rounding the Cape. They interacted uneasily with local Khoikhoi people before continuing eastward briefly. The crew's reluctance to proceed farther led to a decision to return home with news of the discovery. This landing confirmed the viability of an ocean route past Africa's southern tip.