Manuel Quimper facts for kids
Manuel Quimper Benítez del Pino (born around 1757, died April 2, 1844) was an amazing explorer, mapmaker, and naval officer from Peru, who served Spain. He helped create maps of the Strait of Juan de Fuca and the Hawaiian Islands in the late 1700s. Later, he became a governor in his home country of Peru. After retiring to Spain, he returned to Peru and continued his naval career. He also became a writer, publishing over 20 books about his exciting adventures before he passed away in Lima.
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Early Life and Learning
Manuel Quimper was born in Lima, Peru. His father was French, and his mother was Spanish. When he was just 13, he joined the Spanish navy as a cadet in Callao, Peru. He even took part in an exploration trip to Chiloé Island.
In April 1771, with support from the Peruvian Viceroy, Manuel Quimper was accepted into the National University of San Marcos in Lima. There, he studied math and how it applied to sailing, graduating in June 1774. We don't know much about his family, but a letter he wrote to his brother in Lima was published in a Peruvian newspaper in 1792.
After finishing university, Quimper was assigned to a ship called the Áquila. His first mission was to confirm that Tahiti in the South Pacific belonged to Spain. Later, he helped transport wood for building ships.
In 1780, he was promoted to Frigate Ensign and helped move food supplies. Two years later, he was sent to map the Juan Fernández Islands in the South Pacific. He did such a good job that he was recognized for his mapmaking skills! In 1786, he sailed to Cádiz, Spain, and was quickly promoted again to Ship Ensign. He even got to spend time at the court of King Carlos III in Madrid before returning to sea to protect the Gulf of Cádiz.
Exploring the Pacific Northwest
Spain was worried about British and Russian ships exploring the Pacific Northwest coast of North America. So, seven naval officers, including Quimper, were sent to find out what the British and Russians were planning. They sailed from Cádiz in May 1789.
In July 1789, they heard news from the Pacific Northwest: a British fur-trading ship called the Princesa Real had been captured by Spanish commander Esteban José Martinez at Nootka Sound. The British had set up a trading post there, which Spain considered their territory. The Viceroy of New Spain, however, wanted to avoid trouble with the British, so he ordered Quimper to return the ship.
On February 3, 1790, Quimper sailed north from San Blas as part of an expedition. Their goals were to strengthen the Spanish settlement at Nootka Sound, map more of the Strait of Juan de Fuca, and return the Princesa Real to the British. After some difficulty, Quimper arrived at Nootka Sound. The ship needed repairs, and while waiting for the British to arrive, Quimper used the vessel to explore the Strait of Juan de Fuca for two months.
Journey to the Hawaiian Islands
On February 14, 1791, Quimper set sail again aboard the Princesa Real. His orders were to map the Hawaiian Islands (then called the Sandwich Islands) and then give the ship to the Governor-General of the Philippines, who would return it to the British in Macau.
While exploring the Hawaiian Islands, Quimper had a tense meeting with a British commander named James Colnett. Colnett demanded to know why the Princesa Real hadn't been returned yet. Quimper explained the plan to return it in Macau. Colnett threatened to take the ship right then, but when he saw Quimper preparing for a fight, he backed down. Quimper continued mapping the islands of Hawaii, Maui, and Oahu. On April 19, 1791, he sailed for the Philippines.
Quimper arrived at the Cavite naval base in Manila Bay on June 4, 1791. He handed over the ship, which was eventually returned to Macau. However, a strong hurricane badly damaged the ship there, and it was later sold for parts. Quimper also helped another Spanish explorer, Alessandro Malaspina, create maps of his discoveries.
In May 1792, Quimper was given command of a frigate called San José de las Ánimas and sailed back to San Blas. His ship was badly damaged by a hurricane, and he didn't arrive until November 1792. He learned that he had been given permission to marry Francisca Márquez and was appointed as a special assistant to his friend, Juan Francisco de la Bodega y Quadra, the naval commander at San Blas. Quimper held this important position until his friend passed away in February 1794.
Quimper himself wasn't feeling well, so in June 1795, he was allowed to return to Spain. He was later inducted into a special military order called the Order of Calatrava. He continued to serve in the navy and was even appointed the Minister of the Treasury in Veracruz, which brought him back to America in a government role.
Naming Places
Manuel Quimper named many places during his explorations. Here are some of them:
- Bahía de Bodega y Quadra (now Discovery Bay, Washington at 48°3′0″N 122°52′0″W / 48.05000°N 122.86667°W)
- Bahía de Nuñez Gaona (now Neah Bay, Washington at 48°21′56″N 124°36′56″W / 48.36556°N 124.61556°W)
- Bonilla Point, British Columbia
- Ensenada de Quadra (now Maalaea, Maui, Hawaii)
- Ensenada de Quimper (now Pearl Harbor, Oahu, Hawaii)
- Ensenada de Ulloa (now Kawaihae Bay, Hawaii Island, Hawaii)
- Gonzales Point, Victoria, British Columbia
- Gran Montan de Carmello (now Mount Baker, Washington at 48°46′0″N 121°48′0″W / 48.76667°N 121.80000°W)
- Jordan River, British Columbia
- Haro Strait, British Columbia/Washington
- Nuestra Señora de Los Angeles (now Port Angeles, Washington at 48°7′20″N 123°26′30″W / 48.12222°N 123.44167°W)
- Puerta de Revillagigedo (now Sooke, British Columbia at 48°22′55″N 123°43′52″W / 48.38194°N 123.73111°W)
- Puerto de Cordova (now Esquimalt, British Columbia at 48°25′50″N 123°24′29″W / 48.43056°N 123.40806°W)
- Puerto de Quimper (now Dungeness Bay, Washington at 48°9′45″N 123°9′0″W / 48.16250°N 123.15000°W)
- Puerto de San Juan (now Port San Juan, the harbour at Port Renfrew, British Columbia at 48°33′31″N 124°23′57″W / 48.55861°N 124.39917°W)
- Punta de San Miguel (now Albert Head, British Columbia)
- Punta de Santa Cruz (now Dungeness, Washington at 48°8′0″N 123°9′0″W / 48.13333°N 123.15000°W)
- Punta de Santo Domingo (now William Head, British Columbia)
- Rada de Eliza (now Pedder Bay, British Columbia)
- Rada de Solano (now Parry Bay, British Columbia)
- Rada de Valdes y Bazan (now Royal Roads, British Columbia)
- Sombrio River, British Columbia
Places Named After Him
Manuel Quimper's name lives on in several places:
- Quimper Peninsula (48°5′N 122°50′W / 48.083°N 122.833°W) in the state of Washington
- Mount Manuel Quimper (48°25′N 123°40′W / 48.417°N 123.667°W) on Vancouver Island, British Columbia, Canada
- Quimper Park, a special place near Sooke, British Columbia, created in 1990 to celebrate 200 years since Quimper landed there.
- Quimper Street, Oak Bay, British Columbia, Canada
Life in Government
In 1802, Quimper became a Spanish treasury minister in Veracruz, overseeing money matters. In 1805, he was appointed governor of Huamanga (later called Ayacucho) in southern Peru. Due to a mix-up, he instead became the governor of the Peruvian region of Puno near Lake Titicaca.
During his time as governor of Puno, a movement for independence began to grow. Quimper warned the Viceroy about this in 1809. Sadly, his personal collection of papers, maps, and books was destroyed during an uprising by local people. He was removed as governor in January 1810 but returned to the position in June 1810 after his successor passed away.
In 1813, Quimper faced more challenges as political tensions rose in southern Peru. He described a "spirit of anarchy" among the people. He tried to calm the situation, but a big rebellion, known as the Cusco Rebellion, started in August 1814. Quimper had to flee for his life when the city garrison joined the rebels. He went into hiding until Spanish forces restored order. He was later appointed governor of Huamanga in 1816.
Later Years and Legacy
While Manuel Quimper was in Spain, his son, also named Manuel Quimper, was fighting for Spain in Peru. The younger Manuel Quimper suffered a defeat and had to retreat in October 1820.
Meanwhile, in Madrid, the elder Quimper received a military honor in 1820. He also started to gain recognition for his writing. In 1821, he published a long poem describing his observations of the civil wars in Peru from 1809 to 1818.
Still regretting the loss of his documents in Puno, he tried to get support to publish a book about his experiences in Manila Bay. In 1822, he published his book Islas Sandwich: Descripción sucinta de este archipiélago (Sandwich Islands: A Brief Description of this Archipelago). In this book, he explained his return to Spain, mentioning that he had served Spain since he was young and felt like a Spaniard in Peru and an American in Spain.
Coming Home to Peru
Quimper truly wanted to return to his home country of Peru. In February 1822, he took steps to ensure he would be welcomed back. He returned shortly after and became a Peruvian "Patriot" in 1823. The new government of Peru named him a naval commander in 1827 and later a captain. He continued his writing, publishing a poem called Poema raro. Manuel Quimper passed away in Lima in April 1844.
See also
In Spanish: Manuel Quimper para niños
