4 Annals of the Smith African Museum. 



Trustees of the South African Museum have the promise of a 

 facsimile of the original padrao. 



In 1487 King John the Second of Portugal fitted out another 

 expedition, consisting of three vessels, two of some fifty tons' 

 burthen, the other being smaller and used as a store-ship, and 

 this new venture of discovery he placed under the command of 

 Bartholomeu Diaz. 



It is during this reign that the discoverers were, for the first 

 time, provided with commemorative pillars, or "padroes," to be 

 erected at the farthest point reached, or to mark the progress of 

 their journey. Cao is the first navigator who left Portugal 

 with these regulation pillars. 



But the old chroniclers are certainly not clear about the number 

 of padroes erected by that other bold navigator, Bartholomeu Diaz, 

 who was to round the extreme part of Africa. Recent research has, 

 however, brought forth conclusive evidence that he erected five 

 pillars during his memorable journey, each having its respective 

 name. 



The exact dates of the erection, corresponding mostly with his 

 landings, are only approximate, but they are as follows, according to 

 Codine : 



Departure from Lisbon, August 1-14, 1487. 



Landing at Angra Pequeria and erection of the pillar called 

 Padrao Santiago, November 13-14, 1487. 



Landing at Angra das Voltas, November 19-24, 1487. Erection 

 there of a third but nameless padrao. 



This bay, the translation of the name of which is " bay of 

 tackings," owing to Dias's ships taking five days to reach the shore, 

 was taken to be in 28 44' lat. south, and corresponds nearly to that 

 of the present mouth of the Orange River (28 58' S.). At this place 

 Dias left his store-ship with nine men. But as he called there on 

 his return it is not certain if the pillar was erected at the above- 

 mentioned date, or on his return (August 24, 1488). 



Arrival at the Bahia of Vaqueiros, or Bay of Cowherds, and at 

 the Bahia of San Braz (Mossel Bay), apparently towards the end 

 of January, 1488. He was certainly there on the 3rd of February 

 of that year. 



It has been suggested that Cowherds Bay and San Braz Bay are 

 identical, the date of his arrival corresponding to that dedicated to 

 St. Blaise led to it being renamed as such. 



Reaches Algoa Bay, sets up a third pillar (Padrao da Cruz), on a 

 small island of that bay, middle of February, 1488. 



