Horacio Echevarrieta facts for kids
Quick facts for kids
Horacio Echevarrieta Maruri
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| Born | 15 September 1870 Bilbao, Spain
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| Died | 20 May 1963 (aged 92) Barakaldo, Spain
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| Nationality | Spanish |
| Occupation | Businessman, banker, politician |
Horacio Echevarrieta Maruri (born 15 September 1870 – died 20 May 1963) was an important Spanish businessman. He was also a banker, industrialist, and even a politician. Horacio helped solve problems between countries as a diplomatic mediator. In 1927, he started the airline company called Iberia, which is still flying today!
Contents
Horacio Echevarrieta's Early Life and Business
Horacio Echevarrieta was born in Bilbao, a city in Spain. His father, Cosme Echevarrieta, owned mines. Horacio followed in his father's footsteps but made his businesses much bigger. He started companies in many different areas. These included shipping goods by sea, building ships, and buying and selling land.
Building the Spanish Aerocar
Horacio was one of the people who invested in The Niágara Spanish Aerocar Co., Limited. This company opened the Spanish Aerocar in 1916. It's a special cable car that takes people over the Niagara Falls in Canada.
Horacio's Time in Politics
From 1914 to 1917, Horacio was a diputado. This is like being a member of parliament in Spain. He was part of the Radical Republican Party. In 1916, he bought a newspaper called El Liberal.
After a big workers' strike in 1917, Horacio was kept at his home. Because of this, he decided to step down from his role as president of the Chamber of Commerce. He also gave up his seat in parliament. His friend, Indalecio Prieto, took over his political role.
Helping Spain in a Difficult Time
In 1921, Spain faced a terrible defeat in the Battle of Annual. Many Spanish soldiers died, and about 300 were captured. Horacio stepped in to help. He acted as a go-between for the Spanish government and Abd el-Krim, who had captured the soldiers. Thanks to Horacio's efforts, the Spanish soldiers were set free. The King of Spain, Alfonso XIII, offered Horacio a special title for his help. But Horacio, being a Republican, politely turned it down.
Important Visitors at His Home
Horacio owned a large estate in Malaga, Spain. Many important people visited him there. These included King Alfonso XIII and General Miguel Primo de Rivera. He also hosted a German naval officer named Wilhelm Canaris. Canaris later became the head of Germany's military intelligence service.
Echevarrieta Shipyard and Its History
Horacio had many business dealings with Wilhelm Canaris. In 1925, he signed a big contract to supply the German navy with torpedoes. These were special weapons designed in Germany. Horacio's shipyard also built a U-Boat, which is a type of submarine, for testing and training.
Building the Submarine E-1
His shipyard built a prototype submarine called the submarino E-1. This was a German design. However, the Spanish Navy later lost interest in this project. So, the submarine was sold to Turkey, where it was named Gür.
The Cádiz Explosion and Aftermath
On 18 August 1947, a huge explosion happened in Cádiz, Spain. This disaster completely destroyed Horacio Echevarrieta's shipyard, which was right next door. The company was the biggest employer in the city, with 2,500 workers. After the explosion, there was almost no work for a long time. In 1952, the Spanish government took over the company. It wasn't until 1956 that the shipyard had steady work again.
See also
In Spanish: Horacio Echevarrieta para niños
