On June 15, 2024, The House of Spain (Casa de España) in San Diego, through the courtesy ofthe U.S. Navy, Naval Base Point Loma, commemorated the 221st anniversary of the “Battle ofSan Diego.”
We were told that: “On March 17, 1803, Captain William Shaler and Captain Richard Clevelandsailed into San Diego Bay on the American Brig Leila Byrd to buy sea otter pelts, although suchtrading was forbidden by Spain. On the morning of March 22nd, Spanish soldados capturedmembers of the ship’s crew on the beach. Captain Cleveland rowed ashore, released his sailors,and captured a few soldados. As the ship departed, the soldados were tied to the masts in plainview of the shore. Fort Guijarros’ nine-pound cannons opened fire to prevent the Americans’escape. The Leila Byrd crew fired two broadsides at the fort with its six three-pound swivel guns.A hat was waved and both parties ceased firing, with no injuries except to pride and rigging. Thisis the only known ship-to-shore cannon battle to have occurred on the Pacific Coast between anAmerican merchant ship and Spanish forts. The Fort Guijarros site was designated as CaliforniaRegistered Historical Landmark No. 69 in 1982.”
Perhaps not coincidentally, an historic sailboat from the San Diego Maritime Museum sailed pastCoronado, just as the ceremony was about to commence. I believe that the ship was the SanSalvador, “the first European vessel to reach America’s West Coast” (for historical informationabout the San Salvador, visit https://sdmaritime.org/visit/the-ships/ at the San Diego MaritimeMuseum’s website).
The Master of Ceremonies was Jesus B. Benayas, President of the House of Spain in San Diego.Live music for this event was provided by the U.S. Navy Band Southwest. Distinguished guestsincluded Colonel Francisco Martin Alonso — Spanish Air Force (Engineers Corps), MajorAurelio Hinarejos-Rojo — Spanish Army Corp Polytechnic Engineers and LCDR PabloMontero Varela, C3F Chilean Liaison Officer.
The flags of 1803 were raised by the Honorable Juan-Carlos Sanchez-Alonzo — Consul Generalof Spain in Los Angeles, and Captain Jeff M. Yackeren, USN — Commanding Officer, NavalBase Point Loma.
In his welcome address, Captain Yackeren reminded us that “Spain and the United States have along history of warmth, mutual aid and support. It is precisely this relationship and friendshipthat we celebrate today with a particular emphasis on the culture, the traditions, the cuisine andthe beauty of the great country of Spain.”
Captain Yackeren’s welcome was followed by comments from the Honorable Rosaura MorrowPicasso, Honorary Consul of Spain in San Diego: “In this very location, in 1803, Spain had itsmost westerly outpost in North America and what was going to become California. Spain’senlightened culture is represented here some 6,000 miles from Spain. Why was the Spanishculture enlightened? Spain was the very first nation to abolish slavery over 500 years ago, in1811. … before Britain, before France, before Poland, before Portugal and over 60 years beforethe United States’ Emancipation Proclamation.”
“Some say history is written by victors. … Well, we are here today to remember the Battle of SanDiego Bay in 1803 — and there were no victors, no victors. It was pretty much a skirmish. Noone won, no one lost and it wasn’t a political fight, but simply a disagreement over trading posts.… No injuries were recorded, no lives were lost.”
The Keynote Speaker was Commander Eduardo Almazán-García Campos — Spanish Navy(Engineers Corps), NILE Project Management Office, NAVWAR – San Diego. CommanderAlmazán-García Campos is stationed in San Diego as Spain’s National Representative at theNILE PMO, NAVWAR. He joined the Armada in 1999.
The House of Spain is one of Balboa Park’s International Cottages. San Diego is considered bymany to have the most active Spanish community in Southern California.
It would be remiss of me if I did not mention the House of Spain’s delicious paella. As you mayrecall from my coverage of the annual “December Nights” park-wide open house event inBalboa Park, the House of Spain prepares and serves a marvelous paella there every year. Formore information about the House of Spain, including a video about how they make theirpaellas, visit: www.houseofspainsd.org.
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Copyright © 2024 by Jan Wagner – AutoMatters & More #844
