How did scurvy affect Vasco da Gama’s crew in Mozambique?

By the time Vasco da Gama’s fleet reached the Quelimane River in Mozambique in January 1498, many of his crew members were already suffering from scurvy, a nutritional disorder caused by a lack of vitamin C during long sea voyages.12

The impact of the disease was significant enough that the expedition was forced to rest for a month in the region to allow for the recovery of the crew and the repair of their ships. Scurvy, which typically manifests through symptoms such as fatigue, joint pain, and bleeding gums, was a major cause of disability and mortality for sailors during this era. The toll on da Gama's crew was severe; by the end of his first voyage, only 55 of the original 170 men had survived, with many having succumbed to the disease during the journey.21