Íñigo Ortiz de Retes

Íñigo Ortiz de Retes (Retes de Llanteno, Valle de Ayala, Álava –?) was a 16th century Spanish sailor and explorer who navigated the Pacific Ocean, exploring the northern coast of the island of New Guinea, and who is credited with giving the island its name.

Discoveries

Ortiz de Retes arrived at the Moluccas Islands with the expedition of Ruy López de Villalobos that crossed the Pacific from New Spain, of which he was general lieutenant. On May 16, 1545, in command of the San Juan, left the port of Tidore, with the mission of returning to New Spain, but by another route than the one used unsuccessfully by Bernardo de la Torre. During the voyage he sighted several islands which he named < i>Sevillana, Gallega and de los Mártires, which have been identified, not without doubt, as the islands of Biak, Pulap and Supiori. Later He reached the northern coast of a large island, present-day New Guinea, which he coasted for four days, landing on June 20 near the mouth of a river he called San Agustín, today called the Mamberamo River. He took possession of these territories for the Spanish crown, giving them the name New Guinea because its inhabitants reminded him of those on the coasts of African Guinea. He continued sailing, sighting numerous islands, but on the 27th In August, the pilots decided that they should retrace their path. Finally the San Juan arrived at Tidore, the port of departure, three and a half months after the journey began.