240th anniversary of Azopardo, Senglean who founded Argentina’s navy

Proud Sengleans and maritime historians have an important anniversary to celebrate. 240 years to this day, Juan Bautista Azopardo - or Azzopardi as his surname would be in Maltese - was born in the port town where the British moored its naval might.

Azopardo (1772-1848) was born on 19 February, to parents Rosina née Romano and Salvatore, also from Senglea.

He is the founder of the Argentine Navy - at present involved in a diplomatic spat with the United Kingdom over the sovereignty of the Falklands, or Malvinas islands - when on 15 August, 1810, he formed and organised their first naval squadron.

Azopardo was a promising student who was granted a scholarship to study naval architecture in Toulon. Serving with the French and the British fleets, the latter under the command of Admiral John Jervis, Azopardo was made captain of the tartan San Antonio e I'Anime del Porgatorio.

His connections with Argentina started in 1799. Seven years later, when Britain invaded Buenos Aires, Azopardo was in the Uruguayan capital of Montevideo collaborating with the Spanish and the patriotic forces headed by the French Santiago de Liniers, a Knight of Malta. In 1807 Juan became Captain of the City Regiments, and in 1808 promoted to Lieutenant Colonel in the Buenos Aires Militia.

He was forced to relinquish his post after the 1809 revolt by order of Viceroy Cisneros. President Saavedra of the Junta enrolled him in the Corps of Gredaniers soon after the Revolution of 25 May 1810 to assist the Argentines to seek independence from Spain.

It was that year that he assumed command of the schooner Invincible, the same title bore by his hometown Senglea.

His ships battled against the Spanish Fleet and being outnumbered, the Argentines were defeated, and Azopardo captured and imprisoned accused of rebelling against Spain.

In 1820 he was liberated and returned to Argentina as a national hero in the wake of the Spanish Liberal Revolution of General Riego. Azopardo was then appointed Harbour Master and was active in the Battles of Colastine and Los Pozos and in 1824 became Colonel of the Navy.

He spent his last years with his wife Maria Sandalia Perez Rico and his son Luis Alberto. He died at the age of 76 on 23 October, 1848. His name is held in high esteem and traditionally Argentine warships and numerous sites throughout the country, including an important naval base are named in his honour. Part of the Senglea Marina was also named after him.

Four vessels of the Argentine Navy carried his name: Tug Boat (1885), Tug Boat (1923), Frigate (1958), Coast Guard Cutter (1962), Coast Guard Cutter GC 25 (1983).

A street in Buenos Aires is named after him, as well as several schools in Argentina.