Explorers of the Pacific: European and American Discoveries in Polynesia
Domingo Boenechea
Domingo Boenechea
1772 to 1773
Don Domingo Boenechea sailed from Callao on September 26, 1772, on the frigate Aguila to establish a colony on Tahiti, which the Spaniards named Amat after Don Manuel de Amat, the Viceroy of Chile and Peru. On sailing through the Tuamotu Archipelago, he discovered an island on October 28 which he named San Simon y Judas (Tauere), and on October 31, another which he named San Quintin (Haraiki). On November 1 he encountered Anaa, which he named Todos Santos; and on November 6 he sighted Meetia, which received the name of San Cristobal. On November 8 he arrived at Tahiti, which he named Amat. After making a survey, he shaped his course for Moorea, to which he gave the extra name of Santo Domingo. On his return, he sighted the coast of Chile on January 21, 1773; but his report was dated March 8, 1773, in the port of Valparaiso.