Francisco Antonio Mourelle was a Spanish naval officer and explorer who played a significant role in the exploration of the Pacific Northwest during the late 18th century. He is known for his participation in the Malaspina Expedition, a Spanish scientific and exploratory voyage that aimed to gather information about the Spanish colonies and territories in the Americas.
Mourelle served as a lieutenant in the Spanish Navy and was appointed as the second-in-command of the Malaspina Expedition, led by Spanish explorer Alejandro Malaspina. The expedition took place between 1789 and 1794, and it involved a comprehensive survey of various Spanish colonies, including those along the Pacific coast of the Americas.
One of the expedition’s major achievements was the detailed exploration of the Pacific Northwest, which included parts of present-day Alaska, Canada, and the western coast of the United States. Mourelle’s navigational skills and leadership were crucial in accurately charting these regions and collecting scientific data about their geography, flora, fauna, and indigenous cultures.
Spain. 1967.
Explorers and Colonizers of America (7th Series).
F.A.Mourelle. 1 pt. SG* 1879. MNH
8 million copies issued
Francisco Antonio Mourelle was involved in the Nootka Sound region during his participation in the Malaspina Expedition. The Malaspina Expedition, led by Alejandro Malaspina, included an exploration of the Pacific Northwest, which encompassed the Nootka Sound area as part of its overall itinerary.
Mourelle’s involvement in the expedition included navigating and surveying various parts of the Pacific coast of the Americas, including the Nootka Sound region. The expedition’s goal was to gather scientific and geographic information, as well as to assess the condition of Spanish colonies and territories. This exploration included mapping coastlines, recording natural resources, studying indigenous cultures, and establishing relationships with local populations.
While Mourelle’s role in the Nootka Crisis itself might not have been as prominent as some other individuals, his contributions to the exploration and surveying of the Pacific Northwest, which included Nootka Sound, were significant. The Nootka region was one of the many areas that the expedition studied and documented during its exploration of the Pacific coast.
In 1967, Spain commemorated Francisco Antonio Mourelle on a postage stamp as part of a series celebrating notable figures and events from Spanish history. Mourelle was featured on the stamp as a recognition of his contributions to the Malaspina Expedition and his role in advancing Spain’s exploration and knowledge of the Pacific Northwest. The stamp served as a tribute to his achievements in mapping and exploring these distant and relatively unknown territories, which expanded Spain’s understanding of its overseas holdings.