Bruno de Heceta facts for kids

Bruno de Heceta was a Spanish explorer. He was born in 1743 in Bilbao, Spain. He explored the Pacific Northwest region of North America. The Spanish leader in New Spain (which is now Mexico) sent him on this important mission. They wanted to find out if Russians had settled in the area.

Why Spain Explored the Pacific Northwest

Spain had claimed a lot of land in the Americas. This claim went back to the late 1400s. It was based on old agreements and discoveries. For example, in 1513, a Spanish explorer named Vasco Núñez de Balboa reached the Pacific Ocean. He claimed the ocean and all the lands touching it for Spain.

For a long time, Spain did not explore the far northern parts of the Pacific coast. But by the late 1700s, things changed. Spain heard that Russian and British explorers were arriving. They were exploring the coasts of Alaska and the Pacific Northwest. Spain became worried about their claims. They decided to send expeditions to see what was happening. They wanted to make sure their land claims were still strong.

Heceta's Big Expedition

In 1774, a Spanish expedition led by Juan José Pérez Hernández didn't go as far north as planned. So, in 1775, a new group of officers arrived from Spain. The leader in New Spain chose Bruno de Heceta to lead a second expedition. This time, they would have two ships. One would be larger, and the other smaller. The smaller ship could explore closer to the shore.

The Ships and Their Crews

Heceta was given command of the larger ship, the Santiago. The second ship was a smaller schooner called the Sonora. It was first led by Juan Manuel de Ayala. The Sonora was about 36 feet long. It had a crew of 16 people. Its job was to explore the coast closely and make maps. It could go into places the bigger Santiago could not. This way, the expedition could officially claim new lands for Spain.

The two ships sailed north together. They reached a place called Punta de los Martires. Today, this is Point Grenville in Washington. Heceta named it "Point of the Martyrs" because local Native Americans attacked them there.

Exploring Further North

On July 30, 1775, the ships separated as planned. The Santiago continued north. It reached what is now the border between Washington and British Columbia, Canada.

The Sonora went even further north. Its second officer, Juan Francisco de la Bodega y Quadra, was now in command. On August 15, 1775, the Sonora reached a latitude of 59° north. This was near Sitka Sound in present-day Sitka, Alaska. There, and near a Russian settlement on Kodiak Island, the Spanish explorers officially claimed the land. They performed "acts of sovereignty" to show Spain owned the territory. Bodega y Quadra named some places, like Puerto de Bucareli (now Bucareli Bay, Alaska).

Heceta's Return Journey

On his way back south, Heceta was still on the Santiago. His crew was smaller because many were sick. He discovered a very large bay that went far inland. He was the first European to see the mouth of the Columbia River. He tried to sail into it, but the currents were too strong. His crew was too small to handle the anchor easily. He thought it might be the mouth of a great river or even a passage to another sea. Later, he thought it might be the Strait of Juan de Fuca. He named the entrance bay Bahia de la Asunciõn. Spanish maps later showed the Columbia River's mouth with names like Entrada de Hezeta.

Throughout the journey, both crews faced many difficulties. They had little food, and many got sick with scurvy. On September 8, 1775, the ships met again. They then sailed south to return to San Blas.

Later Life and Legacy

After his expedition, Bruno de Heceta went back to Spain. He fought in several naval battles against France and Great Britain in Europe. He died in Spain in 1807. At the time of his death, he was a lieutenant general in the navy.

Several places are named after him today. These include Heceta Island in Alaska. In Oregon, Heceta Head and the Heceta Head Light on the Oregon Coast are also named for him.

See also

In Spanish: Bruno de Heceta para niños