 Vasco da Gama was laid down at the Thames Iron Works shipyard in London , Britain in 1875 , and was launched on 1 December 1876 . The ship was completed in 1878 . She served as part of the coastal defense force that protected Lisbon , the Portuguese capital , and the mouth of the river Tagus . On 26 June 1897 , Vasco da Gama participated in the Fleet Review at Spithead celebrating Queen Victoria 's Diamond Jubilee . At the time , the ship was commanded by Captain Barreto de Vascomellos . 
 Vasco da Gama was laid down at the Thames Iron <a href='uninflect' title='1'><mark>Works</mark></a> shipyard in London , Britain in 1875 , and was launched on 1 December 1876 . The ship was completed in 1878 . She served as part of the coastal defense force <a href='null_relcl' title='2'><mark>that</mark></a>protected Lisbon , the Portuguese capital , and the mouth of the river Tagus . On 26 June 1897 , Vasco da Gama participated in the Fleet Review at Spithead celebrating Queen Victoria <a href='null_genetive' title='3'><mark>'s</mark></a>Diamond Jubilee . At the time , the ship was commanded by Captain Barreto de Vascomellos . 
Vasco da Gama was laid down at da Thames Iron Work shipyard in London , Britain in 1875 , and was launched on 1 December 1876 . The ship was completed in 1878 . She served as part of the coastal defense force protected Lisbon , the Portuguese capital , and the mouth of tdariver Tagus . On 26 June 1897 , Vasco da Gama participated in the Fleet Review at Spithead celebrating Queen Victoria  Diamond Jubilee . At the time , the ship was commanded by Captain Barreto de Vascomellos .