Gil Eanes was born in 1395 in Laos Portugal and he died in 1445. A Portuguese and explorer, Gil is known to be the first person to sail beyond the Cape Bojador which was then considered impassable. He failed in the first exploration attempt to go round Cape Bojador as he drifted towards Canary islands from where he captured some natives and brought them back. He succeeded in the following year and reported on the weather, water and the way to navigate beyond the Cape. This enabled the extensive Portuguese Exploration of Africa.
Do you know: Very little is known about the life of Gil Eanes before he undertook the voyages beyond Cape Bojador. He is said to have been the household servant and a shield bearer for Henry, the navigator.
