<P> Historian William Greenlee has argued that the Portuguese realized that "they were few in numbers and that those who would come to India in the future fleets would always be at numerical disadvantage; so that this treachery must be punished in a manner so decisive that the Portuguese would be feared and respected in the future . It was their superior artillery which would enable them to accomplish this end ." Thus, they created a precedent for European behavior in Asia during the following centuries . </P> <P> Warnings in reports from Vasco da Gama's voyage to India had prompted King Manuel I to brief Cabral regarding another port to the south of Calicut where he could also trade . This city was Kochi and the fleet set sail, reaching it on 24 December . Kochi was nominally a vassal of Calicut, as well as being dominated by other Indian cities . Kochi was eager to achieve independence, and the Portuguese were willing to exploit Indian disunity--as the British would three hundred years later . This tactic eventually ensured Portuguese hegemony over the region . Cabral forged an alliance with Kochi's ruler, as well with rulers of other Indian cities, and was able to establish a factory . At last, loaded with precious spices, the fleet went to Kannur for further trade before setting out on its return voyage to Portugal on 16 January 1501 . </P> <P> The expedition headed for the east coast of Africa . One of the ships became stranded on a sandbar and the vessel began to founder . As there was no space in the other ships, its cargo was lost and Cabral ordered the carrack to be set on fire . The fleet then proceeded to the Island of Mozambique (northeast of Sofala), in order to take on provisions and make the ships ready for the rough passage around the Cape of Good Hope . One caravel was sent to Sofala--another of the expedition's goals . A second caravel, considered the fastest ship in the fleet and captained by Nicolau Coelho, was sent ahead to give the King advance notice of the voyage's success . A third vessel, commanded by Pedro de Ataíde, became separated from the fleet after leaving Mozambique . </P> <P> On 22 May, the fleet--now reduced to only two ships--rounded the Cape of Good Hope . They arrived in Beseguiche (now Dakar, located near Cape Verde) on 2 June . There they found not only Nicolau Coelho's caravel but also the nau captained by Diogo Dias--which had been lost for over a year following the disaster in the South Atlantic . The nau had experienced several adventures of its own and was now in poor condition with only seven sick and malnourished men aboard--one of whom was so weak that he died of happiness upon again seeing his comrades . Another Portuguese fleet was also found riding at anchor in Beseguiche . After Manuel I had been told of the discovery of what is now Brazil, he sent another and smaller fleet to explore it . One of its navigators was Amerigo Vespucci (for whom the Americas would be named), who told Cabral of his exploration, confirming that he had indeed made landfall on an entire continent and not merely an island . </P>

Who set sail from portugal in 1500 to sail to the eastern side of s. america