Cayetano Valdés y Flórez

Cayetano Valdés y Flores Bazán was a Spanish Navy officer and explorer who served in the American Revolutionary War and the French Revolutionary and Napoleonic Wars, fighting on opposing sides at different times due to the changing fortunes of Spain. He took part in a number of battles, including the Battle of Cape Spartel, the Battle of Cape St. Vincent and the Battle of Trafalgar. He was an explorer, most notable in the Pacific Northwest, where he and Dionisio Alcalá Galiano conducted the first circumnavigation of Vancouver Island, in partial cooperation with George Vancouver. Over his long career he achieved the highest ranks in the Spanish Navy, eventually being named Captain General of Cádiz and Captain General of the Navy.