ABSTRACT
The social composition and the interpersonal relationships among those who manned the Portuguese vessels in the sixteenth century constitute an interesting field of study. The exploratory fleet commanded by Vasco da Gama in 1497 consisted of only four vessels. There was a writer for every Portuguese vessel who was to be accountable to the king. The social backgrounds of the people on board were varied and caused tensions. Some scholars identify the most important tensions on board arising from the relations between the merchants and navigating officers like the captain. Apart from tensions there were other factors contributing to brewing antagonism. The persons on board were separated from their families and their beloved ones for months together during their voyage. On the whole women were not allowed to make voyages. The change in climate, food habits, the background from which those on board were recruited and a host of other factors could be the ground for sickness of various sorts.
