Jacinto de Romarate

Who was Jacinto de Romarate?

Jacinto de Romarate Salamanca was a Spanish sailor, who fought in the British invasions of the Río de la Plata and as a Royalist during the Argentine War of Independence. Back in Spain, he fought in the First Carlist War.

He was born at Biscay, and joined the Spanish navy. He moved to Puerto Rico first, and then to Montevideo. He helped to the liberation of Buenos Aires during the first British invasions of the Río de la Plata, commanding the ship "La vizcaína". He was wounded during the battle, and promoted afterwards. He fought as well in the defense of Buenos Aires against the ill-fated second invasion.

Romarate did not accept the legitimacy of the government Junta established in 1808 by Javier de Elío in Montevideo, and moved to Buenos Aires. He did not support either the ill-fated mutiny of Álzaga, made in support of Montevideo. He rejected as well the May Revolution, which succeeded in deposing the viceroy. When the Primera Junta took government, Romarate moved back to Montevideo.

Montevideo declared war to Buenos Aires, and Romarate fought in the naval blockade imposed to the city. During the battle of San Nicolás, he defeated a rudimentary flotilla, which was sending reinforcements to Manuel Belgrano in the Paraguay campaign. He was finally defeated by Guillermo Brown during the Battle of Martín García. Romarate would not surrender until the capitulation of Montevideo, and then requested to return to Spain to fight in the Peninsular War.