Jacinto de Romarate
Encyclopedia
Jacinto de Romarate Salamanca (1775 - 1836) was a Spanish sailor, who fought in the British invasions of the Río de la Plata
and as a Royalist during the Argentine War of Independence
. Back in Spain, he fought in the First Carlist War
.
He was born at Biscay
, and joined the Spanish navy. He moved to Puerto Rico first, and then to Montevideo. He helped to the liberation of Buenos Aires during the first British invasions of the Río de la Plata
, commanding the ship "La vizcaína". He was wounded during the battle, and promoted afterwards. He fought as well in the defense of Buenos Aires against the ill-fated second invasion.
Romarate did not accept the legitimacy of the government Junta established in 1808 by Javier de Elío in Montevideo, and moved to Buenos Aires. He did not support either the ill-fated mutiny of Álzaga
, made in support of Montevideo. He rejected as well the May Revolution
, which succeeded in deposing the viceroy. When the Primera Junta
took government, Romarate moved back to Montevideo.
Montevideo declared war to Buenos Aires, and Romarate fought in the naval blockade imposed to the city. During the battle of San Nicolás
, he defeated a rudimentary flotilla, which was sending reinforcements to Manuel Belgrano
in the Paraguay campaign
. He was finally defeated by Guillermo Brown during the Battle of Martín García
. Romarate would not surrender until the capitulation of Montevideo, and then requested to return to Spain to fight in the Peninsular War
.
British invasions of the Río de la Plata
The British invasions of the Río de la Plata were a series of unsuccessful British attempts to seize control of the Spanish colonies located around the La Plata Basin in South America . The invasions took place between 1806 and 1807, as part of the Napoleonic Wars, when Spain was an ally of...
and as a Royalist during the Argentine War of Independence
Argentine War of Independence
The Argentine War of Independence was fought from 1810 to 1818 by Argentine patriotic forces under Manuel Belgrano, Juan José Castelli and José de San Martín against royalist forces loyal to the Spanish crown...
. Back in Spain, he fought in the First Carlist War
First Carlist War
The First Carlist War was a civil war in Spain from 1833-1839.-Historical background:At the beginning of the 18th century, Philip V, the first Bourbon king of Spain, promulgated the Salic Law, which declared illegal the inheritance of the Spanish crown by women...
.
He was born at Biscay
Biscay
Biscay is a province of Spain and a historical territory of the Basque Country, heir of the ancient Lord of Biscay. Its capital city is Bilbao...
, and joined the Spanish navy. He moved to Puerto Rico first, and then to Montevideo. He helped to the liberation of Buenos Aires during the first British invasions of the Río de la Plata
British invasions of the Río de la Plata
The British invasions of the Río de la Plata were a series of unsuccessful British attempts to seize control of the Spanish colonies located around the La Plata Basin in South America . The invasions took place between 1806 and 1807, as part of the Napoleonic Wars, when Spain was an ally of...
, commanding the ship "La vizcaína". He was wounded during the battle, and promoted afterwards. He fought as well in the defense of Buenos Aires against the ill-fated second invasion.
Romarate did not accept the legitimacy of the government Junta established in 1808 by Javier de Elío in Montevideo, and moved to Buenos Aires. He did not support either the ill-fated mutiny of Álzaga
Mutiny of Álzaga
The Mutiny of Álzaga was an ill-fated attempt to remove Santiago de Liniers as viceroy of the Viceroyalty of the Río de la Plata. It took place on January 1, 1809, and it was led by the merchant Martín de Álzaga...
, made in support of Montevideo. He rejected as well the May Revolution
May Revolution
The May Revolution was a week-long series of events that took place from May 18 to 25, 1810, in Buenos Aires, capital of the Viceroyalty of the Río de la Plata, a Spanish colony that included roughly the territories of present-day Argentina, Bolivia, Paraguay and Uruguay...
, which succeeded in deposing the viceroy. When the Primera Junta
Primera Junta
The Primera Junta or First Assembly is the most common name given to the first independent government of Argentina. It was created on 25 May 1810, as a result of the events of the May Revolution. The Junta initially had representatives from only Buenos Aires...
took government, Romarate moved back to Montevideo.
Montevideo declared war to Buenos Aires, and Romarate fought in the naval blockade imposed to the city. During the battle of San Nicolás
Battle of San Nicolás
The Battle of San Nicolás was a naval engagement on 2 March 1811 on the Paraná River between the Spanish royalists from Montevideo, and the first flotilla created by the revolutionary government of Buenos Aires. It was the first engagement between the two fleets in the River Plate region since the...
, he defeated a rudimentary flotilla, which was sending reinforcements to Manuel Belgrano
Manuel Belgrano
Manuel José Joaquín del Corazón de Jesús Belgrano , usually referred to as Manuel Belgrano, was an Argentine economist, lawyer, politician, and military leader. He took part in the Argentine Wars of Independence and created the Flag of Argentina...
in the Paraguay campaign
Paraguay campaign
The Paraguay campaign was the attempt by a Buenos Aires sponsored militia, commanded by Manuel Belgrano, to win the Intendency of Paraguay for the revolutionary cause. The first battle was fought in Campichuelo and the Argentines claimed victory. However, they were completely vanquished in the...
. He was finally defeated by Guillermo Brown during the Battle of Martín García
Battle of Martín García (1814)
The Battle of Martín García was fought from 10 to 15 March 1814 between the forces of the United Provinces of the Río de la Plata under the command of then-Lieutenant Colonel Guillermo Brown, and the royalist forces commanded by frigate captain Jacinto de Romarate, defending the region.After a...
. Romarate would not surrender until the capitulation of Montevideo, and then requested to return to Spain to fight in the Peninsular War
Peninsular War
The Peninsular War was a war between France and the allied powers of Spain, the United Kingdom, and Portugal for control of the Iberian Peninsula during the Napoleonic Wars. The war began when French and Spanish armies crossed Spain and invaded Portugal in 1807. Then, in 1808, France turned on its...
.