José Antonio de Gaztañeta
Don José Antonio de Gaztañeta e Iturribalzaga (alternatively José Antonio de Castaneta; 1656 – 1728) was a Spanish Basque ship-builder and sailor. He was an innovator who applied a scientific approach to ship design. He was at the origin of the revival of the Spanish Navy in the eighteenth century.[1]
During the
Vice-Admiral who commanded the Spanish Mediterranean fleet at the Battle of Cape Passaro against Great Britain on 11 August 1718 off the coast of Sicily, where Gaztañeta's fleet was decisively defeated. This led to his most important contribution in the field of ship building, the renovation and re-organisation of the Spanish Navy following its poor performance in the war.[2]
Biography
De Gaztañeta was born in
War of the Grand Alliance against France. He saved a fleet coming back from Naples, cleverly avoiding an ambush by Admiral Tourville near Mahon
.
During the
Pasajes and Orio
.
In the War of the Quadruple Alliance (1718-1720) he was appointed head of the fleet which was to sail the Spanish Army under the
Marquis of Lede to Sardinia and Sicily. After this was accomplished he positioned his fleet at Cape Passaro. The Spanish fleet was sailing in a scattered formation when it caught sight of the approaching British fleet and this led to a disastrous defeat in the Battle of Cape Passaro for the Spanish. Francisco de Gaztañeta's ship was captured, suffering 200 killed. Gaztañeta was injured in his foot and was made a prisoner of the British. He was released very soon and wasn't blamed for the defeat on his return to Spain.[3]
He was promoted to
Puerto Bello, consisting of the fleets of Admirals Hosier and Wager. On his safe arrival in Spain King Philip V of Spain
awarded him with a great deal of money, but shortly after, Gaztañeta died suddenly on 5 February 1728 in Madrid.
Gaztañeta married twice.
Cosme Damián de Churruca y Elorza
was a relative.
Works
- Arte de fabricar reales (1688).
- Norte de la navegación hallado por el cuadrante de reducción. (1696)
- Cuadrante geométrico universal para la conversión esférica a los planos, aplicado al arte de navegar. (1697)
- Proporción de las medidas arregladas a la construcción de un bajel de guerra de setenta codos de quilla. (1712)
- Proporciones de las medidas más esenciales para la fábrica de nuevos navíos y fragatas de guerra. (1720)
References
 | This article includes a list of general references, but it lacks sufficient corresponding inline citations. (January 2017) |
- ISBN 9781857281736.
- ISBN 9781857281736.
- ISBN 9781857281736.
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