in 1501, the portuguese navigator joão da nova sighted the island on ascension day (which fell on 21 may that year) and named it "ilha da ascensão" after this feast day. dry and barren, the island had little appeal for passing ships except for collecting fresh meat, and was not claimed for the portuguese crown. mariners could hunt for the numerous seabirds and the enormous female green turtles that laid their eggs on the sandy beaches. the portuguese also introduced goats as a potential source of meat for future mariners.