Julián Martín de Retamosa facts for kids

Julián Martín de Retamosa (1745–1827) was a very important Spanish naval officer. He was also a top ship designer for the Spanish Navy. He helped create some of the most powerful warships of his time.

Early Life and Naval Start

Julián Martín de Retamosa was born in Cartagena, Spain, on March 18, 1745. He started his career in the military. First, he was a lieutenant in a cavalry unit called the Queen's Dragoon Regiment.

By 1769, he joined the Spanish Navy. He became an ensign, which is a junior officer rank. He even took part in a big military action called the Invasion of Algiers (1775).

Later, he commanded a special ship called a bomb ketch. This ship was part of a fleet led by Marquis of Casa-Tilly. They sailed to Santa Catarina Island. In 1794, Julián was promoted to brigadier. This meant he was put in charge of important naval bases and shipyards. He oversaw where ships were built and repaired.

Building Ships for Battle

Martín de Retamosa was known for designing strong and powerful warships. Four of the ships he designed fought in the famous Battle of Trafalgar. This was a huge naval battle in 1805.

The ships he designed that were at Trafalgar included:

• Príncipe de Asturias (a very large ship with 110 guns)
• Montañés (a ship with 74 guns)
• Neptuno (an 80-gun ship)
• Argonauta (another 80-gun ship)

These ships show how important his designs were to the Spanish Navy. In 1807, he became the director of the Corps of Naval Engineers. This group was responsible for all naval engineering and ship design.

Leading Naval Engineers

When the Peninsular War began, Julián Martín de Retamosa continued his important work. He was sent to Cartagena and then to Seville. In 1809, he was promoted again to lieutenant general. This was a very high rank. He was given command of the arsenal at La Carraca. An arsenal is a place where weapons are made and stored.

He was appointed to the Supreme Council of the Admiralty in 1814. This council helped lead the navy. In 1818, he joined the Supreme War Council. This council advised on important military decisions. Later that year, he became the commandant-general. He resigned from this post the next year. Fernando Casado de Torres took over from him. This change marked the beginning of the Age of Steam for navies. This was a time when steam power started to replace sails on ships.

Julián Martín de Retamosa passed away on February 1, 1827, in Madrid. He is remembered as a key figure in Spanish naval history.

See also

In Spanish: Julián Martín de Retamosa para niños