Complex sentence: In late 1507, the new Portuguese captain of Sofala, Vasco Gomes de Abreu, captured the nearby island of Mozambique and transferred much of the Sofala garrison, officers and operations to the island, reducing Fort Sofala to a mere outpost.
Split into simpler sentences: In late 1507, the new Portuguese captain of Sofala, Vasco Gomes de Abreu, captured the nearby island of Mozambique. Gradually, much of the Sofala garrison, officers and operations were transferred to the island, reducing Fort Sofala to a mere outpost.