José Solano y Bote

Who was José Solano y Bote?

Don José de Solano y Bote Carrasco y Díaz, Marquess of Socorro, was a Spanish Naval officer.

He served an extensive career in the Spanish Navy starting at the age of 16 until his death in 1806. Shortly after joining the Spanish navy in 1742, he participated in the Battle of Toulon, where the Spanish fleet defeated the British fleet. As a result of his performance in that battle he was promoted to the rank of "alférez de fragata". In 1754 he was promoted to the rank of "capitán de fragata" and sent to the Americas as a commissary named by the King with the objective of helping with the demarcation of the limits between Spain and Portugal's holdings.

During this charge Solano spent seven years traveling the Orinoco river and its tributaries as well as making several trips to Bogota in pursuit of additional funding from the Viceroy to support his efforts.

When he concluded his assignment he was promoted to the rank of "Capitán de Navío" in 1761. In 1762 after war broke out with England he took command of the "Rayo" a 100 gun ship of the line built in La Havana.

Solano was governor of Venezuela from 1763 to 1770 and later Governor and Captain General of Santo Domingo.