The Coveted Pacific Coast

New Spanish Explorations

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Renewed Spanish ventures

Following the first Spanish expedition by Pérez in 1774 came the second in 1775 under the command of Lieutenant Bruno de Hezeta. There were two ships: the Santiago, commanded by Hezeta himself, and the schooner Sonora, commanded by his second in command, Lieutenant Juan Francisco de la Bodega y Quadra. Viceroy Bucareli realized that the main error of the preceding expedition, to send only a single ship, had obliged Pérez to be excessively careful in his explorations and in his meetings with the Amerindians. This time, the Viceroy was keen for the explorers to go ashore so that the newly discovered territories would be recognized as Spanish lands. Most important for him was the identification of Russian settlements.