Domingo de Bonechea facts for kids

Domingo de Bonechea (born September 21, 1713 – died January 26, 1775) was a Spanish naval captain and explorer. He was born in Getaria, in the Basque Country, Spain. He is famous for his voyages to Tahiti, where he tried to claim the island for Spain.

Domingo de Bonechea joined the Spanish navy in 1732. He started as a pilot and slowly moved up the ranks. He fought in the Battle of Toulon in 1744. Later, he became a lieutenant. In 1762, he commanded a ship called the Maite during the Battle of Havana. Even though Spain lost Havana to the British, Bonechea was cleared of any blame for his actions.

In 1766, he became a frigate captain. He commanded the frigate Santa Maria Magdalena, which was later renamed Aguila. He sailed to the Falkland Islands and then to Concepcion, Chile, in 1768.

Why Bonechea Explored Tahiti

Domingo de Bonechea's trips were ordered by the Viceroy of Peru, Manuel de Amat y Junyent. The Viceroy was worried about Captain Cook's explorations. He feared that Cook might set up British bases in the Pacific. These bases could then be used to attack Peru.

Bonechea arrived in Tahiti just weeks after Captain Cook's first voyage. He even found an axe left behind by Cook's team. Bonechea carefully wrote down many words from the local language.

Bonechea's Early Life and Family

Domingo's father, Juan Bauptista de Bonechea Aramburu, was also a captain in the Spanish Royal Navy. He was even the mayor of Getaria in 1756. Domingo's uncle, Francisco de Bonechea Aramburu, was a frigate captain too.

Domingo's parents married in 1714, a few months after he was born. His younger brother, Francisco Bonechea Andonaegui, was also a naval officer. He sailed with King Carlos III in 1759. Domingo was also a cousin of another explorer, Manuel Facundo Agote Bonechea.

First Voyage to Tahiti (1772–1773)

On September 26, 1772, Bonechea began his first exploration trip to Tahiti. He sailed from Callao harbor in Peru on his ship, the Aguila. His lieutenant was Tomás Gayangos.

They reached Tahiti on November 7, 1772. Bonechea anchored in a bay he named "Puerto Santa Maria Magdalena." He left Tahiti on December 20 and arrived back in Valparaíso, Chile, on February 21, 1773.

Georg Forster, who sailed with Captain Cook on his Second Voyage, mentioned Bonechea in his writings.

Second Voyage and His Death (1774–1775)

The main goal of Bonechea's second trip was to claim Tahiti for the Spanish crown. King Carlos III approved this mission. They also wanted to convert the people of Tahiti to Christianity.

Two ships, the Aguila and the Jupiter, left Callao on September 20, 1774. Bonechea and the Tahitian chief Tu chose a spot near the Vaitepiha River for a mission. This area is now called Tautira Bay. The Spanish called it 'La Santissima Cruz de Ohatutira'.

Sadly, Domingo de Bonechea died in Tahiti on January 26, 1775. He was buried near a cross that marked Spain's claim over the island. The mission was later abandoned on November 12.

The cross had the words Christus Vincit Carolus III imperat 1774 (Christ Conquers, Charles III Commands 1774). The British took it down in 1777. Bonechea's grave was found again in the 20th century in the village of Tautira.

See also

• Buenechea Regarding his family name.
• Tahanea & Tatakoto, two atolls visited by Domingo de Bonechea before any other recorded European mariner.

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