Military Service
He entered the Royal Spanish Navy in 1750 as a Guardiamarina.
He was appointed as a Lieutenant (Teniente de Navío) at the victorious Battle of Minorca in 1756, against the British under Admiral Sir John Byng.
From 1766 until 1771 he several times made scientific expeditions, among others, three voyages to the Philippines and the Chinese seas, and made several important contributions in cartography.
In 1774 he commanded the frigate La Rosalia on a scientific expedition, which led to several important discoveries with regards to pilotage and navigation.
In 1778, he was a Brigadier or Commodore and participated with distinction in the 1779 naval campaign in the Narrows against Britain.
He was an Admiral in the Royal Spanish Navy.
He was Captain General of the Spanish fleet.
He fought Admiral Rodney RN at the Moonlight Battle or Cabo Santa María, off Gibraltar, 16 January 1780.
He retired in 1799.
Named Features
Langara Island (BC); Langara College (Vancouver BC);
References
- Dunmore, J. (1991)
- Dalzell, Kathleen E. (1973)
- en.wikipedia.org ↗
