Battle of Puerto Tortuguero

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Battle of Puerto Tortuguero
Part of the Dominican War of Independence
The three Dominican schooners later on in Santo Domingo circa 1850.
Date April 15, 1844 Location Puerto Tortuguero, Azua Province Result Dominican victory
Belligerents
Dominican Republic	Haiti
Commanders
Comm. Juan Bautista Cambiaso Capt. Juan Bautista Maggiolo Lt. Juan Alejandro Acosta	Unknown
Strength
3 schooners: Separación Dominicana María Chica Leonor	2 brigantines 2 schooners 2 sloops-of-war
Casualties and losses
None	1 brigantine 1 schooner 1 sloop-of-war

The Battle of Puerto Tortuguero, was the first naval battle of the Dominican War of Independence and was fought on April 15, 1844 at Puerto Tortuguero, Azua Province. A force of 3 Dominican schooners led by Commander Juan Bautista Cambiaso, defeated a force of 2 brigantines, 2 schooners and 2 sloops-of-war of the Haitian Navy. Though it was a minor naval battle engagement, it determined the naval supremacy of the Dominican Republic over Haiti until the end of the war.

The three schooners led by Commander Juan Bautista Cambiaso were the "Separación Dominicana" (flagship) led by himself, the "María Chica" led by Captain Juan Bautista Maggiolo and the "Leonor" led by Lieutenant Juan Alejandro Acosta. These were the original three Dominican vessels which were incorporated in the newly created Dominican Republic Navy authorized by the Junta Central Gubernativa with the Naval Act of 1844 on April 23, 1844.