"Double the Cape"--Origin of Phrase?

[Carol A Binkley]

Most likely the interpretation of the phrase changed as Europeans discovered more and more of the geographical features of the lands they explored.

However, the Portuguese referred to "doubling Cape Bojador", and this was first done by Gil Eannes, at the urging of Prince Henry, whom we know as the Navigator, who more than anything else, wanted to know the strength of the Muslim forces in Africa south of that lattitude: about 27 degrees north of the equator, on the Atlantic coast of Africa. You cannot reach equal lattitudes by doubling this particular cape. It was known for its dangerous waters, and as I said, I believe Eannes took advantage of a slightly westward motion in order to skirt the most dangerous part. I'd have to check on that. But he did "double the cape", in about the mid-1400's. The significance of that particular "doubling" for the history and betterment of mankind cannot be overemphasized.

As to European Tea Races, once the boys started racing, profits were no longer the end; the race was an end in itself. Wasn't the Cutty Sark the winner of the last race to and from China?

 

[Carol A Binkley]

I should explain that in my estimation, Prince Henry is the most underappreciated and underrated man in history. Because of his determination, and Portuguese knowledge of sailing and sailboats---the Lateen-rigged Mediterranean fishing boats for instance that allowed "sailing close to the wind", and were the forerunners to the caravels of Portugal and Columbus---because of these, Prince Henry and eventually the rest of Europe were able to undercut the source of Venetian and Ottoman power: the near monopoly on trade with the Far East: silk and spices. There was no need to go to war, although of course it happened later on as the Ottoman's sought to infiltrate Europe.