Juan Garcia (privateer)
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| Juan Garcia | |
|---|---|
| Type: | Privateer |
| Place of birth: | Spain |
| Allegiance: | Spanish Empire |
| Years of service: | 1620s |
| Rank: | Captain |
| Base of Operations: | Duinkerken |
| Battles/wars: | Eighty Years' War |
Juan Garcia (fl. 1622) was a 17th century Spanish privateer. He was among several other Spaniards who worked with Dunkirkers in the service of Spain during the Eighty Years' War. Both he and Pedro de la Plesa were caught by the Dutch Republic in a failed attempt to break through the imposed blockade at Dunkirk, he and de la Plesa leaving Captain Jan Jacobsen to face nine pursing Dutch warships.
[edit] Biography
In October 1622, he and Pedro de la Plesa left Duinkerken with Jan Jacobsen attempting to break through the blockade imposed on the city by the Dutch Republic. However, a Dutch yacht spotted Pedro de la Plesa as he sailed out of Oostende. The ship's captain, Jacob Volckertzoon Vinck, immediately sailed to a small fleet stationed nearby. Its commander, Admiral Harman Kleuter, set off after the blocade runners at once and was later joined by another squadron under Captain Lambert Hendrikszoon. Garcia and Pedro de la Plesa fled instantly upon encountering the fleet, however Jacobsen stayed behind to fight the nine pursuing warships. Both because of his heroic stand, as well as allowing his Spanish allies to escape to England, Jacobsen and his crew became a national hero. [1]
[edit] References
- ^ Bruyneel, M. (2005). Privateers and Pirates: Juan Garcia. Isle of Tortuga.
[edit] Further reading
- Duquesne, Jacques. Jean Bart. Paris: Seuil, 1992.
- Histoire de la Société Dunkerquoise. Mémoires de la Société Dunkerquoise pour L'Encouragement des Sciences, des Lettres et des Arts. Dunkerque: Typographie de Vanderest, 1855.
- Vrijman, L.C. Kaapvaart en zeerooverij; uit de geschiedenis der vrije nering in de Lage Landen. Amsterdam: P.N. van Kampen & Zoon, 1983.
