Pedro de Zubiaur | |
|---|---|
| Born | 1540 |
| Died | 3 August 1605(1605-08-03) (aged 64–65) |
| Buried | |
| Allegiance |  Spain |
| Branch | Spanish Navy |
| Rank | General |
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Pedro de Zubiaur,Zubiaurre orÇubiaurre (1540 – 3 August 1605) was a Spanishnaval officer andengineer, general of the Spanish Navy, distinguished for his achievements in theAnglo-Spanish War (1585–1604).
Born into a seafaring family from Biscay, Zubiaur started his naval career in 1568 plying between the ports of Bilbao andFlanders, where he worked under the command of theGrand Duke of Alba. After getting promoted to General for his naval achievements in the Low Countries, during theBrittany campaign he won several battles against theEnglish forPhilip II of Spain, the most famous of them during therelief of Blaye. He captured six English ships from Raleigh's fleet nearcape Finisterre in 1597.
During the4th Spanish Armada, this time sent to Ireland, Zubiaur made landfall atCastlehaven in December after being driven back by contrary winds. His small fleetwas neutralised by an English fleet led byRichard Leveson. On his return to Spain, Zubiaur was later arrested for not sending troops to Kinsale.
In 1604, inspired by the works of engineerPeter Morice inLondon, he built an advanced waterwheel system for the irrigation inValladolid, similar to theArtificio de Juanelo. He personally funded the 6,000ducats of its construction, which were never repaid to him. Only after his death his widow received a third of the inversion.[1]
After the war, in 1605, he was put in command of 18 ships charged with transporting troops toDunkirk but on the way they met aDutch fleet of 80 ships under admiral Hatwain. During theensuing battle, Zubiaur was wounded and lost two ships and 400 men, but he managed to save the fleet and find shelter atDover, under the protection of the English artillery, now allied to Spain. His injuries, however, were so serious that he died there some days later. His body was transported toBilbao for burial.
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