Jose Solano y Bote
Encyclopedia
Don José de Solano y Bote Carrasco y Díaz (March 11, 1726 – April 24, 1806), marquess of Socorro, was a Spanish Naval officer.
He served an extensive career in the Spanish Navy starting at the age of 16 until his death in 1806. Shortly after joining the Spanish navy in 1742, he participated in the Battle of Toulon (1744)
, where the Spanish fleet defeated the British fleet. As a result of his performance in that battle he was promoted to the rank of "alférez de fragata". In 1754 he was promoted to the rank of "capitán de fragata" and sent to the Americas as a commissary named by the King with the objective of helping with the demarcation of the limits between Spain and Portugal's holdings.
During this charge Solano spent seven years traveling the Orinoco river and its tributaries as well as making several trips to Bogota in pursuit of additional funding from the Viceroy to support his efforts.
When he concluded his assignment he was promoted to the rank of "Capitán de Navío" in 1761. In 1762 after war broke out with England he took command of the "Rayo" a 100 gun ship of the line built in La Havana.
Solano was governor of Venezuela
from 1763 to 1770 and later Governor and Captain General of Santo Domingo
(1770).
in March 1781, Solano was promoted to lieutenant general in 1782. He became the General Captain of the Armada in 1804.
He served an extensive career in the Spanish Navy starting at the age of 16 until his death in 1806. Shortly after joining the Spanish navy in 1742, he participated in the Battle of Toulon (1744)
Battle of Toulon (1744)
The naval Battle of Toulon or Battle of Cape Sicié took place on 22 February 1744 in the Mediterranean Sea off the coast of Toulon, France. A combined Franco-Spanish fleet fought off Britain's Mediterranean fleet...
, where the Spanish fleet defeated the British fleet. As a result of his performance in that battle he was promoted to the rank of "alférez de fragata". In 1754 he was promoted to the rank of "capitán de fragata" and sent to the Americas as a commissary named by the King with the objective of helping with the demarcation of the limits between Spain and Portugal's holdings.
During this charge Solano spent seven years traveling the Orinoco river and its tributaries as well as making several trips to Bogota in pursuit of additional funding from the Viceroy to support his efforts.
When he concluded his assignment he was promoted to the rank of "Capitán de Navío" in 1761. In 1762 after war broke out with England he took command of the "Rayo" a 100 gun ship of the line built in La Havana.
Solano was governor of Venezuela
Venezuela
Venezuela , officially called the Bolivarian Republic of Venezuela , is a tropical country on the northern coast of South America. It borders Colombia to the west, Guyana to the east, and Brazil to the south...
from 1763 to 1770 and later Governor and Captain General of Santo Domingo
Santo Domingo
Santo Domingo, known officially as Santo Domingo de Guzmán, is the capital and largest city in the Dominican Republic. Its metropolitan population was 2,084,852 in 2003, and estimated at 3,294,385 in 2010. The city is located on the Caribbean Sea, at the mouth of the Ozama River...
(1770).
American War of Independence
He commanded a Spanish squadron during the American War of Independence. For his role in the Siege of Pensacola where he came to the aid of Louisiana governor Bernardo de GálvezBernardo de Gálvez y Madrid, Count of Gálvez
Bernardo de Gálvez y Madrid, Viscount of Galveston and Count of Gálvez was a Spanish military leader and the general of Spanish forces in New Spain who served as governor of Louisiana and Cuba and as viceroy of New Spain.Gálvez aided the Thirteen Colonies in their quest for independence and led...
in March 1781, Solano was promoted to lieutenant general in 1782. He became the General Captain of the Armada in 1804.