Both Prince John and Prince Manuel continued the efforts of Prince Henry to find a sea route to India, and in 1497 Manuel placed Vasco da Gama, who already had some reputation as a warrior and navigator, in charge of four vessels built especially for the expedition. Trending Questions What is the Japanese expansion during the 1930s? What did children in ancient school eat? Why had earlier attempts failed at unifying Germany before Bismarck tried and How and why did Bismarck unify Germany? Was Andrew Jackson ever an orphan? What is the motto for Mrs. Vasco da Gama was born about 1460 at Sines, Portugal. Dias sailed with Vasco da Gama s expedition as far as the Cape Verde Islands, then returned to Guinea.