On board the Ships

Astrolabes
Navigation Chart
Nocturnals
Traverse Boards


The Navigational aids that Vasco da Gama would have used is:
- Astrolabes
- Charts
- Compasses
- Cross-staffs
- Nocturnals
- Traverse boards
- Almanacs

- These tools were used to measure the angle between objects above the ocean, such as the stars or the sun, with the horizon so that Vasco da Gama could calculate the ship's position at sea.

- Food found on the ship included bread, beer, fish and salted meat. There were also private stores which might include wine and fresh livestock.

- The Sao Gabriel, the Sao Rafael and the Berrio were small ships, about 80 tons and the length of the ship was about 80 feet.

- The sail area of the ships would have been about 2500 square feet