Francisco Vidal Gormaz
Encyclopedia
Francisco Vidal Gormaz was a Chilean naval officer and hydrographer who explored the coasts of Chile including some river systems and lakes. During the 1850s he explored and surveyed several times Maullín River
with Francisco Hudson
. He participated in the Occupation of the Araucanía
performing reconnaissance missions in the coasts of Arauco
and Toltén
. In 1863, he was named director of the Maritime School of Ancud
(Escuela Maritima de Ancud). In 1874 ,he became the first director of the newly created Hydrographic Office (Oficina Hidrográfica). In 1884, he became General Inspector of Lighthouses and participated in the International Meridian Conference
. Because of his neutrality during the Chilean Civil War
of 1891 he was removed from his post as director of the Hydrographic Office. He was named assistant at the Sea Ministry (Spanish: Ministerio de Marina) in 1894 and retired from the navy in 1899.
Maullín River
Maullín River is a river of Chile located in the Los Lagos Region. The river originates as the outflow of Llanquihue Lake, and flows generally southwestward, over a number of small waterfalls, emptying into the Gulf of Coronados...
with Francisco Hudson
Francisco Hudson
thumb|right|250px|Map showing in yellow the main route used to reach [[Punta Arenas]] by sea from [[Ancud]], and in orange Hudson's proposed route. The red dot shows the 20 km wide [[Ofqui Isthmus]] the only obstacle that makes this route intransitable....
. He participated in the Occupation of the Araucanía
Occupation of the Araucanía
The Occupation of Araucanía was a series of military campaigns, agreements and penetrations by the Chilean army and settlers which led to the incorporation of Araucanía into Chilean national territory...
performing reconnaissance missions in the coasts of Arauco
Arauco, Chile
Arauco is a city and commune in Chile, located in Arauco Province in the Biobio Region. The meaning of Arauco means Chalky Water in Mapudungun. The region was a Moluche aillarehue...
and Toltén
Toltén
Toltén is a Chilean commune located at the lower flows Toltén River at the southern coast of Cautín Province which is part of Araucanía Region...
. In 1863, he was named director of the Maritime School of Ancud
Ancud
Ancud is a city in southern Chile located in the northernmost part of the island and province of Chiloé, in Los Lagos Region .-Geography:...
(Escuela Maritima de Ancud). In 1874 ,he became the first director of the newly created Hydrographic Office (Oficina Hidrográfica). In 1884, he became General Inspector of Lighthouses and participated in the International Meridian Conference
International Meridian Conference
The International Meridian Conference was a conference held in October 1884 in Washington, D.C., in the United States to determine the Prime Meridian of the world. The conference was held at the request of U.S. President Chester A...
. Because of his neutrality 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...
of 1891 he was removed from his post as director of the Hydrographic Office. He was named assistant at the Sea Ministry (Spanish: Ministerio de Marina) in 1894 and retired from the navy in 1899.