Melitón Pérez del Camino facts for kids
Quick facts for kids
Melitón Pérez del Camino
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| Born | March 10, 1772 Castro Urdiales, in Cantabria, Spain |
| Died | March 6, 1845 (aged 72) Ferrol, Galicia, Spain |
| Allegiance | Spanish Empire |
| Service/ |
Spanish Navy |
| Years of service | 1789–1843 |
| Rank | Captain general of the Royal Spanish Navy. |
| Battles/wars | French Revolution Napoleonic Wars |
| Awards | Grand Laurelled Cross of San Fernando (Spain) |
Melitón Pérez del Camino (1772–1845) was an important leader in the Royal Spanish Navy. He served for many years, taking part in major wars like the French Revolution and the Napoleonic Wars. He rose through the ranks to become a Captain General.
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Melitón Pérez del Camino was born in Castro Urdiales, a town in Cantabria, Spain. His birthday was March 10, 1772. His parents were Joseph Antonio Pérez del Camino Peñarredonda and Cathalina Elena de Llarena y De la Quadra.
He began his naval career on April 14, 1789. He joined as a Midshipman, which is a junior officer in training. He started his service in the naval department of Ferrol.
First Battles Against France
In 1793, Melitón Pérez del Camino joined the fleet of Francisco de Borja. He helped capture the islands of San Pedro and San Antiochus. He also helped protect the army during a war against France.
Later that year, he was on the ship San Juan Nepomuceno. He helped defend the Balaguer Fort during the Siege of Toulon. He also helped with the important evacuation of the area.
He also fought in the siege of Rosas. He commanded smaller boats and fought against the French army.
Journey to North America
After the war with France ended in 1796, he sailed to North America. He carried news that Spain was now at war with the United Kingdom. On October 5, 1802, he was promoted to Frigate Lieutenant. He returned to Ferrol after his trip to the United States.
Fighting in the Napoleonic Wars
In late 1804, war with the United Kingdom started again. Pérez del Camino joined the ship Montañés. This ship was part of a large fleet that sailed towards Cadiz in August 1805.
The Battle of Trafalgar
On October 21, 1805, he took part in the famous battle of Trafalgar. His ship, the Montañés, lost its commander and many crew members. The ship was badly damaged and could not reach Cadiz.
On November 9, Pérez del Camino was promoted to Lieutenant. He continued to fight the British Army that was blocking the port of Cadiz. In June 1808, he helped in actions that led to the French fleet surrendering. For this, he received a special medal.
Defending Spanish Ports
He was then sent to Ferrol. There, he commanded a gunboat to defend the city from French attacks. Later, he went back to Cadiz and took command of the brig Hunter. Since there were not many naval battles, he joined the Marines. He served in the most dangerous areas.
Rising Through the Ranks
On May 24, 1811, he was promoted to Captain of a Frigate. He continued to serve on the waterfront of Cadiz. On August 25, 1812, he led gunboats in the capture of the Castle of Santa Catalina. He attacked Napoleon's forces as they retreated.
For his bravery, he was given the Laureate Cross of Saint Ferdinand. In March 1813, he was sent to Ferrol. He became the first assistant and acting general in charge.
Diplomatic Missions and Perilous Voyages
On April 30, 1816, Pérez del Camino commanded the frigate Proserpina. Soon after, he commanded the frigate Soledad. With this ship, he sailed to the Mediterranean Sea. He carried out a Diplomatic mission to the areas of Algiers, Tunis, and Tripoli.
On April 20, 1819, he commanded the frigate Test. This ship was part of a group sailing to the port of Callao, in Lima, Peru. Only the Test reached its destination. The other ships either returned or were wrecked.
On November 5, 1820, while on the frigate Esmeralda in Callao, the ship was captured. Pérez del Camino fought bravely but was wounded twice. He was then taken prisoner.
Later Career and Leadership
On April 19, 1822, he was released and returned to Cadiz. He was given command of the frigate Loyalty. He led a group of ships across the Atlantic Ocean. Their mission was to protect a convoy going to Havana.
The next year, he became the Commander-in-chief of the Naval Station in Havana. He took part in operations there. In February 1829, he returned to Ferrol. On December 6, he was promoted to brigadier. He was tasked with reviewing naval forces along the Cantabrian coast. He worked to stop supplies from reaching the Carlist forces during a civil war.
On February 25, 1835, he became a member of the Senior Government Board of the Royal Navy. In October 1836, he was put in charge of the Ferrol department. He served there until January 26, 1837.
In December 1838, he again took command of the Ferrol department. On April 27, 1839, he was promoted to squad leader.
In 1841, he joined the governing board of a military pawnshop. Soon after, he joined the Admiralty. In 1843, the Admiralty was replaced, and he ended his role there. In the same year, he was appointed commander of the Ferrol department. He died in Ferrol on March 6, 1845, while still in office.
See also
In Spanish: Melitón Pérez del Camino para niños
