Why the discovery of Madeira is considered crucial?

               Henry the Navigator encouraged many exploring, trading, slaving expeditions along the western coast of Africa. His intentions mainly included finding sources of slaves and gold, and to establish potentially profitable colonies on under-exploited islands in Africa.

               The Portuguese prince was noted for his patronage of voyages of discovery among the Madeira Islands, and along the western coast of Africa. The voyages were made in very small ships, mostly the caravel, which is a light and manoeuvrable vessel. Most of the voyages sent out by Henry consisted of only one or two ships. The ships sailed only during daytime, and were docked during nights.

               In 1418, Henry’s navigators were driven by a storm, and this accidentally led to the rediscovery of Madeira under the leadership of Joao Gonclaves Zarco. The uninhabited island had been already discovered in the previous century. Henry the Navigator immediately established a colony there. Thus the island came under the control of Portugal, and the discovery was marked a milestone in the history of Portugal.