11 Facts About Hermenegildo Capelo

Hermenegildo de Brito Capelo was a Portuguese officer in the Portuguese Navy and an explorer, who helped to chart territory between Angola and Mozambique that was unknown to Europeans in the 1870s and 1880s.

Hermenegildo Capelo later rose to become aide-de-camp to King Luis I of Portugal and afterwards to King Carlos I and, later still, vice-admiral.

Hermenegildo Capelo was one of six brothers and his father was Major Felix Antonio Gomes Capelo.

In 1860, Capelo sailed to Angola, in southwest Africa, and served on board the D Estefania as a member of the Portuguese Navy, which was commanded by Prince Luis, staying for three years at a naval station before returning to Lisbon in 1863.

Hermenegildo Capelo sailed to Africa again in 1866, visiting Angola, where he remained until 1869.

Hermenegildo Capelo was chosen on May 11,1877, to direct a scientific expedition into Central Africa alongside the marine official Roberto Ivens and Serpa Pinto.

Hermenegildo Capelo saw it as an objective to reach Pretoria and possibly Durban in South Africa and the expedition divided.

Hermenegildo Capelo was made vice-president of the Overseas Institute, of which the first president was Queen Dona Amelia.

Hermenegildo Capelo became aide-de-camp to King Luis I and King Carlos I of Portugal and chief of the military house of King Manuel II, Plenipotentiary Minister of Portugal with the Sultan of Zanzibar and created a geographical map of the province of Angola.

Hermenegildo Capelo was promoted to rear-admiral on May 17,1902, and to vice-admiral on January 18,1906.

Hermenegildo Capelo appeared on the 1000 Angolan escudo banknote issued in 1956.