Archaeologists Investigate Wreckage Found Near Malindi, Suspecting It May Belong to the Explorer’s Last Voyage in 1524
A sunken ship found off the coast of Kenya in 2013 may be the key to unlocking the mysteries of Vasco da Gama’s final voyage. New research suggests the wreck, located near the coastal town of Malindi, could be the remains of the São Jorge, a Portuguese ship that sank in 1524, the same year the legendary explorer passed away in India, possibly due to malaria.
The discovery, detailed in the latest edition of the Journal of Maritime Archaeology, proposes that the wreck could be one of the earliest European ships to have sunk in the Indian Ocean. If confirmed, the ship may hold valuable insights into da Gama’s final journey, following his pioneering voyage to India in 1497, when he became the first European to navigate around the Cape of Good Hope to reach the East.
In the early 1500s, as part of its growing maritime power, Portugal began building heavily armed ships for both military and exploration purposes. The São Jorge, under the command of Fernando de Monroy, was one such vessel, and it is believed to have been lost in the waters near Malindi around 500 years ago.
The wreck lies just 6 metres below the surface, making it accessible for archaeological investigation. Local communities, involved in a collaborative project to protect the site, have helped uncover timbers from the ship’s hull and frame, which were recently unearthed in two archaeological trenches.
The shipwreck is believed to be one of two early Portuguese vessels found in this region. The other, the Nossa Senhora da Graça, sank in 1544. To confirm whether this wreck is indeed the São Jorge, researchers plan to survey the coral reefs that stretch from Malindi to Ras Ngomeni, a distance of about 25 kilometres.
If the ship is verified as the São Jorge, it would be a significant historical find, offering physical evidence of Vasco da Gama’s third armada operating in Kenyan waters. This type of ship, built with multiple masts and equipped with artillery, was designed for both exploration and defence, allowing it to withstand potential attacks during long sea voyages.
