Person
Cayetano Valdés
Spanish explorer and admiral
Cayetano Valdés y Flores Bazán (1767-1835) is a commander of the Spanish Navy, explorer, and captain general who serves in the French Revolutionary and Napoleonic Wars, fighting for both sides at different times due to the changing fortunes of Spain in the conflict.
He takes part in a number of naval battles, including the Great Siege of Gibraltar, the Battle of Cape St. Vincent, and the Battle of Trafalgar.
He is an explorer, most notable in the Pacific Northwest, where he and Dionisio Alcalá Galiano conduct the first circumnavigation of Vancouver Island, in partial cooperation with George Vancouver.
Over his long career, he achieves the highest ranks in the Spanish Navy, eventually being named Captain General of Cadiz and Captain General of the Spanish Navy.