João da Nova
João da Nova [ ʒu̯ɐu̯ dɐnɔvɐ ] (* 1460 in Castillo de Maceda, Galicia, † 1509 in Cochin ) was a Galician navigator and explorer in the service of Portugal.
Since Nova came from the noble family Novoa de Maceda, who was wealthy in the Galician region to Ourense. How many Galician nobles, he joined Portuguese services and is considered the discoverer of the islands Ascención and St. Helena.
Due to its origin was also known as João Galhego or Gallego. In Spanish sources, he is also listed as Juan de Nova. The Galicians call their compatriot Xoán de Novoa.
Already in 1480 known as João da Nova, he acquired in the Portuguese policy a number of merits and was among others the royal ruler of the city or governor ( alcaide ) appointed by Lisbon.
On March 5, 1501, the third Royal Portuguese expedition was under his command, even before the return of Pedro Álvares Cabral fleet, with four Naus towards India. Two (some sources estimate of three from ) Naus were funded by the crown, the other two ships by a consortium of private capital under the direction of the Florentine merchant Bartolomeo Marchione. In addition there Nova as commander commanded Francisco de Nabay, Fernão Vicente and Diogo Barboza the remaining three ships.
On the outward journey, the expedition between the 13th and May 15th, 1501 Today's discovered the island of Ascension, which was baptized by Da Nova Conceição and only by Afonso de Albuquerque was given its present name. In India, founded Da Nova in Cannanore, north of Calicut, a new Portuguese trading post. Supported by the remaining Portuguese India in the expedition of Cabral succeeded because Nova is a first naval victory against the fleet of the ruler of Calicut.
With rich spice charge he took the return trip and discovered on May 21, 1502 Island of St. Helena.
1506 commanded as Nova again a Nau, the Flor de la mar, in the second squadron under Afonso de Albuquerque in a Tristão da Cunha and Albuquerque commanded expedition of 16 Naus. At the entrance to the Red Sea parted six Naus Albuquerque from the squadron since Cunha, who was heading directly the Indian coast. During the Kaperkrieges, the Albuquerque led against Arab and Egyptian ships, as Nova distinguished himself by his courage, but also his disobedience. There were large differences and disputes between Nova and Albuquerque because of the status and rank both as well as on the implementation of the royal instructions. These arguments went to the brink of mutiny.
After arriving in India led since Nova the Viceroy Francisco de Almeida suit against Albuquerque. It was not until 1509, after the arrival of the fleet, under the Marshal of the Kingdom of Portugal, Francisco Coutinho, this conflict could be resolved.
Since Nova distinguished himself again at the Battle of Diu under Francisco de Almeida from, in an Arab- Egyptian- Indian fleet was destroyed and the Portuguese brought the naval supremacy in the western Indian Ocean for about 100 years.
João da Nova died in 1509 in the Indian Cochin.