Lourenço de Almeida had his own record as an experienced squadron commander. At Chaul, Amir Husayn's Mamluk fleet struggled for two days until Malik Ayyaz committed galleys that forced the Portuguese withdrawal. Lourenço covered his squadron's escape and was sunk at the harbour entrance, turning a costly coalition success into the prelude to Diu. His death gave Francisco de Almeida both strategic and deeply personal reasons to seek a decisive battle.
Chapter · 52:05-55:00
Chaul gives Almeida a personal war aim
The 1508 Battle of Chaul killed Lourenço de Almeida while he covered his squadron's withdrawal, giving the Portuguese viceroy a personal motive for the Diu campaign.