São Gabriel (Vasco da Gama)

[john sefton]

The São Gabriel was the flagship of Vasco da Gama's armada on his first voyage to India in 1497-1499.
She was a Portuguese "nau" (carrack) that like its sistership, the São Rafael, was built specifically for the expedition both exhibiting a similar construction.
Contemporary pictures do not exist, the earliest pictures are from fifty years later. The vessel was built by Bartolomeu Dias who having reached Cape Hope before knew what type of vessel would be needed for the planned voyage. The timber was cut in the crown woods of Leiria and Alcácer do Sal. The size of the vessel given by early describers was between 90-120t whereby the it has to considered that more modern estimates of tonnage tend to be higher than such determinations in the 16th century.
It has been estimated that the overall length was 25.7 meters, the width 8.5 m, and the draft of 2.3 m and fully loaded weight about 178t.
To enter estuaries the draft was kept shallow. The vessel carried three masts whereby the mainmast reached 110 feet above keel and held a crow's nest at 70 feet. The vessel displayed six sails, namely bowsprit, foresail, mizzen, spritsail, and two topsails.
As a carrack the sails of the fore and mainmast were cut square, while the mizzenmast sail was triangular. The total sail area was 4,000 square feet. The blood-red cross of the Order of Christ was painted on the sails.
Carracks tended to be slower and less able to sail against the wind than the caravel, but were safer and more steady, and more comfortable for the crew.
The carrack was equipped by Fernão Lourenço. The ship was protected by the fore- and aftcastles that also housed the officers, the captain had his quarters in the top of the aftcastle.
Carrying 20 guns, 6 were placed in the 2 castles, and 8 on the lower quarterdeck it was well-armed. In the foreward hold requisites were kept including spare sails and spare anchor, midships water, and in the aft ammunition and arms.
The ship was equipped with the latest scientific astronomical and nautical instruments. Navigational instruments and training were provided by the the astronomer Abraham Zacut.
Key personel of the São Gabriel were Vasco da Gama, captain-major, Pêro de Alenquer, pilot, Gonçalo Álvares, master, and Diogo Dias,clerk.
The ship held about 60 men.

Wikipedia.

Marshall Is SG?

[Arturo]

Sao Gabriel

Qatar, 1967.

[advanderpol46]

Also on the 1978 Hungarian stamp Michel nr 3296A and block 131A and 131B

[Arturo]

Sao Gabriel (Vasco da Gama)

Bosnia & Herzegovina, 1997, S.G.?, Scott; 275.

[Arturo]

Sao Gabriel (Vasco da Gama)

Mozambique 1913, S.G.?, Scott: 137.

Seychelles 1981, S.G.?, Scott: 464.

Laos 1992, S.G.?, Scott: 1088.

[Arturo]

Sao Gabriel (Vasco da Gama)

Ciskei 1993, S.G.?, Scott: 203.

Umm Al Qiwain ?, S.G.?, Scott: ?

[Anatol]

Cан Габриэль.
Guinea Bissau 1981;5p;SG? Paraguay 1985; Guinea Ecuatorial 1975;60pta;SG? Mozambic 1963;50c;SG562. Niger 1998;300f;SG?

[aukepalmhof]

Bulgaria 1990 8s sg3665, scott3517.
Comoro 1992 500f sg808, scott795.
Dominica 1991 60c sg1409, scott536.
Portugal 1969 4E sg1377, scott?
St Tome e Principe 1979 dh3 sg?, scott536.
Sahara 1990 50p sg?, scott?
Nicaragua 1996 2cor50 sg?, scott2150i
Azores 1898 100r sg177, scott 99

[Anatol]

São Gabriel 1497
Barbados 2019; 5$.