Domingo de Boenechea
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Domingo de Boenechea Iribar, born on August 8, 1730 in Guetaria, Basque Country, was an explorer for the Spanish crown. He is known for having tried to incorporate Tahiti to the Spanish seaborne empire.
[edit] First voyage (1772-1773)
On September 26 1772 Domingo de Boenechea went on an exploratory expedition to Tahiti. He sailed with Tomás Gayangos as his lieutenant on ship Aguila from Callao harbor, Peru. The expedition reached Tahiti on November 13. He anchored in front of Tautira village which Bonaechea christened "Santísima Cruz". Bonaechea forbid himself and his crew to have sexual relationship with local women, which surprised the Tahitians greatly. He left Tahiti on December 20 and reached Valparaíso on february 21 1773.
[edit] Second Voyage (1774-1775)
The aim of this expedition was the annexation of Tahiti to the Spanish crown, with the approval and encouragement of king Carlos III, and to evangelize its inhabitants. Two ships, the Aguila and the Jupiter left Callao on September 20 1774. After winning over Tu, the most important king of the Tahitians, Boenechea's men were allowed to establish a mission. However, Boenechea died on January 20 1775 in Tahiti.
The Spanish mission on Tahiti was abandoned on November 12 the same year and the whole enterprise came to an early end.
[edit] References
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