5th Portuguese India Armada (Albuquerque, 1503) Cape Verde, the first squadron of Afonso de Albuquerque struck out into the south Atlantic, following the South Atlantic Gyre. Along the way, Albuquerque came across Ascension Island. Although the island had already been discovered back in 1501 by the Third Armada of João da Nova (and named "ilha da Conceição" then), Albuquerque renamed it "ilha da Ascensão" on account of it being Ascension Day (May 21), the name that has since stuck. Strong south-westerly winds pushed them towards the coast of Brazil, where Albuquerque made a brief stop to take on water (exactly where is uncertain), before making his
João Afonso da Costa de Sousa de Macedo, 1st Duke of Albuquerque Duke of Saldanha, who promised him the title of Duke. As he was not a politician, he refused both the post and the title. He was a remarkable and very considered person in Portuguese society, and King Luis I of Portugal, by a royal decree dated from May 19, 1886, granted him the title of Duke of Albuquerque. He did not marry nor had any issue. He was peerage both in United Kingdom and in Portugal: "Nobreza de Portugal e Brasil" - Vol II, page 215. Published by Zairol Lda., Lisbon 1989 João Afonso da Costa de Sousa de Macedo,