Juan Bautista Cambiaso

Juan Bautista Cambiaso (September 12, 1820 – June 21, 1886), né Giuseppe Giovanni Battista Cambiaso, was a Genoese-born sailor and soldier, best known for helping establish the naval forces of the nascent Dominican Republic during its war of emancipation. He was the first admiral of the Dominican Navy and is considered its founder.

Throughout the Dominican War of Independence, which lasted 12 years, Cambiaso was a front-line soldier always in defense of the newly formed Dominican Republic. Later, after returning to his commercial activities, he served as Consul of Italy in the country. He was a distinguished municipality and an authentic Hero of National Independence.

Today, the Dominican Navy remembers Cambiaso by mentioning his name in its anthem along with another Italian, Juan Bautista Maggiolo who, like him, threw himself inti the front lines to maintain the independence of the Dominican Republic. The sailboat training ship of the Dominican Navy also bears the name of the First Admiral, Juan Bautista Cambiaso. His mortal remains rest in the National Pantheon of the Dominican Republic, along with the venerable ashes of the other heroes and martyrs of the Dominican Republic.

Dominican War of Independence After independence was declared on 27 February 1844 and after learning that a Haitian flotilla was bombarding towns along the southwestern coast, the Junta Central Gubernativa (revolutionary government committee) ordered the seizing of the port of Santo Domingo and all vessels flying the Haitian colors therein. Cambiaso, who had learned seamanship in his homeland, was given command of the schooner Separación Dominicana.

Colonel Cambiaso went in December 1844 to Petite Marie, Curacao, to look for the ship General Santana, which was under repair on that island.

He participated very actively in the campaign of 1845. He contributed to the victory of the Battle of Beler, attacking the enemy in Bari-Barú with the flotilla that he commanded.

The Navy's assistance would prove vital to the patriot Army during the 1849 campaign, and thanks to it victory was achieved at Las Carreras and El Número. By repelling enemy vessels and providing logistic support and transportation for troops, the patriots were able to liberate the southern region of the island as far as the frontier with Haiti proper.

On 6 January 1856, he helped rout a Haitian host at El Can, Barahona, and for this deed he was promoted to Divisional general of the Army.

Retirement and death After retiring from the military, Cambiaso returned to Santo Domingo and dedicated the rest of his life to his mercantile business. He died there on 21 June 1886, aged 66.

Physiognomy and Character Historian José Gabriel García said the following about him: