José Solano y Bote

In this Spanish name, the first or paternal surname is Solano and the second or maternal family name is Bote.

The Most Excellent Captain General The Marquess of Socorro OSJ
José Solano y Bote in front of Santa Rosa Bay coming to the rescue of General Gálvez
Born	March 6, 1726 Zorita, Extremadura, Spain
Died	March 24, 1806(1806-03-24) (aged 80) Madrid, Spain
Allegiance	Spain
Service / branch	Spanish Royal Navy
Years of service	1742–1806
Rank	General Captain of the Spanish Royal Navy
Battles / wars	Battle of Toulon (1744) Siege of Pensacola (1781)
Awards	Named Marquess de Socorro
Other work	Governor and Captain General of Venezuela (1763–71) Governor and Captain General of Santo Domingo (1771–79)

José de Solano y Bote, 1st Marquess of Socorro (March 6, 1726 – March 24, 1806) was a Spanish Navy officer, nobleman and colonial administrator.

Biography

He served an extensive career in the Spanish Navy starting at the age of 16 until his death in 1806. Shortly after joining the Navy in 1742, he participated in the Battle of Toulon against the British Royal Navy. 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 Britain, he took command of Rayo, a ship of the line built in Havana.

Solano was governor of Venezuela from 1763 to 1770 and later Governor and Captain General of Santo Domingo (1771–79).

American Revolutionary War

Main article: American Revolutionary War

He commanded a Spanish squadron during the American Revolutionary War. For his role in the Siege of Pensacola where he came to the aid of Governor Bernardo de Gálvez in March 1781, Solano was promoted to lieutenant general in 1782. He became the General Captain of the Armada in 1804.

Posthumous portrait of Solano

References

• Jose Luis Santalo Rodriguez de Viguri (1973). Don Jose Solano y Bote, Primer Marques del Socorro Capitan General de la Armada. Instituto Historico de Marina, Madrid. I.S.B.N. 84-00-03891-6