Luis de Córdova y Córdova
Encyclopedia
Luis de Córdova y Córdova (8 February 1706 – 29 December 1796) was a Spanish
admiral
. He is best known for his command of the Spanish fleet
during the American War of Independence. His best remembered actions were the capture of two British
convoy
s totalling 79 ships between 1780 and 1782, including the capture of 55 ships
from a convoy composed of Indiamen, and other cargo ships 60 leagues
off Cape St. Vincent
. In 1782 he battled the Royal Navy
to a stalemate at the Battle of Cape Spartel
, but failed to prevent the British relieving the Great Siege of Gibraltar
.
to Juan de Córdova Laso de la Vega y Puente, a mariner, navy captain, and knight of the Order of Calatrava
, and Clemencia de Córdova, daughter of the Marquis of Valdo. He was baptised
at San Miguel parish
on 12 February.
His inclination toward the sea began at a young age; at 11 he enlisted aboard his father's ship and by 13 he had made his first journey to America
. In 1721 he joined the naval academy at Cádiz
and by 1723 graduated with the rank of Alférez de Fragata (ensign
). The first lap of his career was marked by successful cruises and actions at sea that won the approval of his superiors and even the praise of the King
. In 1730 Córdova had the distinction of commanding the naval escort
for the Duke of Parma, Infante Carlos de Borbón (later Charles III of Spain
), who journeyed across the Mediterranean
en route to the campaigns in Italy
. Carlos and his generals went on to reconquer the Kingdom of Naples
for Spain at the Battle of Bitonto
, with naval assistance from a squadron commanded by Córdova.
Spain
Spain , officially the Kingdom of Spain languages]] under the European Charter for Regional or Minority Languages. In each of these, Spain's official name is as follows:;;;;;;), is a country and member state of the European Union located in southwestern Europe on the Iberian Peninsula...
admiral
Admiral
Admiral is the rank, or part of the name of the ranks, of the highest naval officers. It is usually considered a full admiral and above vice admiral and below admiral of the fleet . It is usually abbreviated to "Adm" or "ADM"...
. He is best known for his command of the Spanish fleet
Spanish Navy
The Spanish Navy is the maritime branch of the Spanish Armed Forces, one of the oldest active naval forces in the world. The Armada is responsible for notable achievements in world history such as the discovery of Americas, the first world circumnavigation, and the discovery of a maritime path...
during the American War of Independence. His best remembered actions were the capture of two British
Kingdom of Great Britain
The former Kingdom of Great Britain, sometimes described as the 'United Kingdom of Great Britain', That the Two Kingdoms of Scotland and England, shall upon the 1st May next ensuing the date hereof, and forever after, be United into One Kingdom by the Name of GREAT BRITAIN. was a sovereign...
convoy
Convoy
A convoy is a group of vehicles, typically motor vehicles or ships, traveling together for mutual support and protection. Often, a convoy is organized with armed defensive support, though it may also be used in a non-military sense, for example when driving through remote areas.-Age of Sail:Naval...
s totalling 79 ships between 1780 and 1782, including the capture of 55 ships
Action of 9 August 1780
The Action of 9 August 1780 was a naval engagement of the American Revolutionary War in which the main Spanish fleet led by Admiral Luis de Córdova y Córdova, together with a squadron of French ships, captured a heavy British convoy of sixty-three vessels causing a severe blow to the commerce of...
from a convoy composed of Indiamen, and other cargo ships 60 leagues
League (unit)
A league is a unit of length . It was long common in Europe and Latin America, but it is no longer an official unit in any nation. The league originally referred to the distance a person or a horse could walk in an hour...
off Cape St. Vincent
Cape St. Vincent
Cape St. Vincent , next to the Sagres Point, on the so-called Costa Vicentina , is a headland in the municipality of Sagres, in the Algarve, southern Portugal.- Description :This cape is the southwesternmost point in Portugal...
. In 1782 he battled the Royal Navy
Royal Navy
The Royal Navy is the naval warfare service branch of the British Armed Forces. Founded in the 16th century, it is the oldest service branch and is known as the Senior Service...
to a stalemate at the Battle of Cape Spartel
Battle of Cape Spartel
The Battle of Cape Spartel was an indecisive naval battle between a Franco-Spanish fleet under Admiral Luis de Córdova y Córdova and a British fleet under Admiral Richard Howe...
, but failed to prevent the British relieving the Great Siege of Gibraltar
Great Siege of Gibraltar
The Great Siege of Gibraltar was an unsuccessful attempt by Spain and France to capture Gibraltar from the British during the American War of Independence. This was the largest action fought during the war in terms of numbers, particularly the Grand Assault of 18 September 1782...
.
Early life
Córdova was born in SevilleSeville
Seville is the artistic, historic, cultural, and financial capital of southern Spain. It is the capital of the autonomous community of Andalusia and of the province of Seville. It is situated on the plain of the River Guadalquivir, with an average elevation of above sea level...
to Juan de Córdova Laso de la Vega y Puente, a mariner, navy captain, and knight of the Order of Calatrava
Order of Calatrava
The Order of Calatrava was the first military order founded in Castile, but the second to receive papal approval. The papal bull confirming the Order of Calatrava as a Militia was given by Pope Alexander III on September 26, 1164.-Origins and Foundation:...
, and Clemencia de Córdova, daughter of the Marquis of Valdo. He was baptised
Baptism
In Christianity, baptism is for the majority the rite of admission , almost invariably with the use of water, into the Christian Church generally and also membership of a particular church tradition...
at San Miguel parish
Parish
A parish is a territorial unit historically under the pastoral care and clerical jurisdiction of one parish priest, who might be assisted in his pastoral duties by a curate or curates - also priests but not the parish priest - from a more or less central parish church with its associated organization...
on 12 February.
His inclination toward the sea began at a young age; at 11 he enlisted aboard his father's ship and by 13 he had made his first journey to America
Spanish Empire
The Spanish Empire comprised territories and colonies administered directly by Spain in Europe, in America, Africa, Asia and Oceania. It originated during the Age of Exploration and was therefore one of the first global empires. At the time of Habsburgs, Spain reached the peak of its world power....
. In 1721 he joined the naval academy at Cádiz
Cádiz
Cadiz is a city and port in southwestern Spain. It is the capital of the homonymous province, one of eight which make up the autonomous community of Andalusia....
and by 1723 graduated with the rank of Alférez de Fragata (ensign
Ensign
An ensign is a national flag when used at sea, in vexillology, or a distinguishing token, emblem, or badge, such as a symbol of office in heraldry...
). The first lap of his career was marked by successful cruises and actions at sea that won the approval of his superiors and even the praise of the King
Philip V of Spain
Philip V was King of Spain from 15 November 1700 to 15 January 1724, when he abdicated in favor of his son Louis, and from 6 September 1724, when he assumed the throne again upon his son's death, to his death.Before his reign, Philip occupied an exalted place in the royal family of France as a...
. In 1730 Córdova had the distinction of commanding the naval escort
Escort
-Protection:*Police escort, a feature offered by law enforcement agencies to assist in transporting individuals.*Safety escort service, a service provided on and around many college and university campuses to help ensure the safety of students and staff....
for the Duke of Parma, Infante Carlos de Borbón (later Charles III of Spain
Charles III of Spain
Charles III was the King of Spain and the Spanish Indies from 1759 to 1788. He was the eldest son of Philip V of Spain and his second wife, the Princess Elisabeth Farnese...
), who journeyed across the Mediterranean
Mediterranean Sea
The Mediterranean Sea is a sea connected to the Atlantic Ocean surrounded by the Mediterranean region and almost completely enclosed by land: on the north by Anatolia and Europe, on the south by North Africa, and on the east by the Levant...
en route to the campaigns in Italy
War of the Polish Succession
The War of the Polish Succession was a major European war for princes' possessions sparked by a Polish civil war over the succession to Augustus II, King of Poland that other European powers widened in pursuit of their own national interests...
. Carlos and his generals went on to reconquer the Kingdom of Naples
Kingdom of Naples
The Kingdom of Naples, comprising the southern part of the Italian peninsula, was the remainder of the old Kingdom of Sicily after secession of the island of Sicily as a result of the Sicilian Vespers rebellion of 1282. Known to contemporaries as the Kingdom of Sicily, it is dubbed Kingdom of...
for Spain at the Battle of Bitonto
Battle of Bitonto
The Battle of Bitonto was a Spanish victory over Austrian forces near Bitonto in the Kingdom of Naples in the War of Polish Succession...
, with naval assistance from a squadron commanded by Córdova.