Francisco Nef
Encyclopedia
Vice Admiral Francisco Nef Jara (August 3, 1863 - June 9, 1931) was a Chile
an naval officer and member of the Government Junta
that ruled Chile
between 1924 and 1925.
Nef was born in Valparaiso
. At the age of 16, on March 1, 1879, he joined the Military Academy, where he remained until 1881, when he transferred to the Naval Academy to finish his studies. By 1883, he already was a second-class ensign and joined the crew of the ironclad Blanco, under the command of future president Jorge Montt
. During the remainder of the War of the Pacific
, he served in the O'Higgins, Chacabuco (blockading Pacocha
, in northern Peru
), Abtao (patrolling the extreme south of Chile), Cochrane and Pilcomayo.
In November 1884 he was part of the crew of the Blanco that took that ship back to England for a complete rehaul. In 1885 he was sent to France to join the crew of the Colbert, to study French naval tactics. With that ship he visited most of the European and African ports of the time. By 1887, he was a second lieutenant, and participated in the hydrographic reconnaissance of the north of Chile, specially the areas of Esmeralda, Carrizal Bajo, and Arica.
During his career, he served in almost all the ships of the Chilean Fleet. In 1891, during the Chilean Civil War
, he fought for the congressional side against President José Manuel Balmaceda
. After the war, he rose thought the ranks very quickly. By 1896 he already was Commander and in charge of the hidrographic charting of the extreme south of Chile. In 1901 he was named second commander of the Naval Academy. By 1910 he was made a Rear-Admiral and in 1919 a Vice-Admiral. On March 24, 1922, was named Director General of the Navy.
During the conservative military coup of September 11, 1924 that ousted president Arturo Alessandri
, he was first named minister of Finance, and then a member of the Government Junta
, together with General Luis Altamirano
and General Juan Pablo Bennett
. He was forced to retire from active duty on October 9, 1924, and died in Valparaiso
in 1931.
Chile
Chile ,officially the Republic of Chile , is a country in South America occupying a long, narrow coastal strip between the Andes mountains to the east and the Pacific Ocean to the west. It borders Peru to the north, Bolivia to the northeast, Argentina to the east, and the Drake Passage in the far...
an naval officer and member of the Government Junta
Government Junta of Chile (1924)
Government Junta of Chile , was the political structure established to rule Chile following the military coup that overthrew President Arturo Alessandri...
that ruled Chile
Chile
Chile ,officially the Republic of Chile , is a country in South America occupying a long, narrow coastal strip between the Andes mountains to the east and the Pacific Ocean to the west. It borders Peru to the north, Bolivia to the northeast, Argentina to the east, and the Drake Passage in the far...
between 1924 and 1925.
Nef was born in Valparaiso
Valparaíso
Valparaíso is a city and commune of Chile, center of its third largest conurbation and one of the country's most important seaports and an increasing cultural center in the Southwest Pacific hemisphere. The city is the capital of the Valparaíso Province and the Valparaíso Region...
. At the age of 16, on March 1, 1879, he joined the Military Academy, where he remained until 1881, when he transferred to the Naval Academy to finish his studies. By 1883, he already was a second-class ensign and joined the crew of the ironclad Blanco, under the command of future president Jorge Montt
Jorge Montt
Jorge Montt Álvarez was vice-admiral of the Chilean Navy and president of Chile from 1891 to 1896.-Early life:...
. During the remainder of the War of the Pacific
War of the Pacific
The War of the Pacific took place in western South America from 1879 through 1883. Chile fought against Bolivia and Peru. Despite cooperation among the three nations in the war against Spain, disputes soon arose over the mineral-rich Peruvian provinces of Tarapaca, Tacna, and Arica, and the...
, he served in the O'Higgins, Chacabuco (blockading Pacocha
Pacocha
Pacocha may refer to* BAP Pacocha * Pacocha District, Moquegua Region, Peru* Battle of Pacocha...
, in northern Peru
Peru
Peru , officially the Republic of Peru , is a country in western South America. It is bordered on the north by Ecuador and Colombia, on the east by Brazil, on the southeast by Bolivia, on the south by Chile, and on the west by the Pacific Ocean....
), Abtao (patrolling the extreme south of Chile), Cochrane and Pilcomayo.
In November 1884 he was part of the crew of the Blanco that took that ship back to England for a complete rehaul. In 1885 he was sent to France to join the crew of the Colbert, to study French naval tactics. With that ship he visited most of the European and African ports of the time. By 1887, he was a second lieutenant, and participated in the hydrographic reconnaissance of the north of Chile, specially the areas of Esmeralda, Carrizal Bajo, and Arica.
During his career, he served in almost all the ships of the Chilean Fleet. In 1891, during the Chilean Civil War
Chilean Civil War
The Chilean Civil War of 1891 was an armed conflict between forces supporting Congress and forces supporting the sitting President, José Manuel Balmaceda. The war saw a confrontation between the Chilean Army and the Chilean Navy, which had sided with the president and the congress, respectively...
, he fought for the congressional side against President José Manuel Balmaceda
José Manuel Balmaceda
José Manuel Emiliano Balmaceda Fernández was the 11th President of Chile from September 18, 1886 to August 29, 1891. Balmaceda was part of the Castilian-Basque aristocracy in Chile...
. After the war, he rose thought the ranks very quickly. By 1896 he already was Commander and in charge of the hidrographic charting of the extreme south of Chile. In 1901 he was named second commander of the Naval Academy. By 1910 he was made a Rear-Admiral and in 1919 a Vice-Admiral. On March 24, 1922, was named Director General of the Navy.
During the conservative military coup of September 11, 1924 that ousted president Arturo Alessandri
Arturo Alessandri
Arturo Fortunato Alessandri Palma was a Chilean political figure and reformer, who served twice as the President of Chile, first between 1920 and 1924, and then again in 1925, and finally from 1932 until 1938....
, he was first named minister of Finance, and then a member of the Government Junta
Government Junta of Chile (1924)
Government Junta of Chile , was the political structure established to rule Chile following the military coup that overthrew President Arturo Alessandri...
, together with General Luis Altamirano
Luis Altamirano
Division General Luis Altamirano Talavera was a Chilean military officer, minister, Vice President of the Republic and finally President of the Government Junta of Chile between 1924 and 1925....
and General Juan Pablo Bennett
Juan Pablo Bennett
Division General Juan Pablo Bennett Argandoña was a Chilean military officer and member of the Government Junta that ruled Chile between 1924 and 1925....
. He was forced to retire from active duty on October 9, 1924, and died in Valparaiso
Valparaíso
Valparaíso is a city and commune of Chile, center of its third largest conurbation and one of the country's most important seaports and an increasing cultural center in the Southwest Pacific hemisphere. The city is the capital of the Valparaíso Province and the Valparaíso Region...
in 1931.