BATTLE OF LAKE MARACAIBO 1823

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shipstamps
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BATTLE OF LAKE MARACAIBO 1823

Post by shipstamps » Mon Dec 15, 2008 4:07 pm

Columbia issued in 2008 a single stamp for the 185 anniversary of the Navy Battle of Lake Maracaibo on 24 July 1823 between a squadron under command of the Republican Almirante José Prudencio Padilla against a Royalist squadron under command of Captain Angel Labordo.


Almirante José Prudencio on board the INDEPENDIENTE his squadron was formed by five brigantines, nine schooners equipped with guns, three flecheras a kind of shallow drafted vessels, three boats and three canoes, several more boats and faluchos used on the lake took also part in the battle, with a total crew of 124 men and 1.073 mariners.
Captain Angel Laborde of the Royalist forces was the second in command of the North American fleet which was formed by three brigantine, eight schooners, two pailebot, two flecheras, three faluchos three guairos and eight piraguas.
His squadron was divided into three groups, one at Zapara, one in El Mojan and the other in Maracaibo.
Total crew and mariners on the squadron was 1.645 persons.

24 July 1823 at 15.45 fire was opened and some ships were heavily damaged or sank and some were captured by the Republican forces during the battle, only three schooners of the Royalist squadron escaped.
The loses of the Republican forces were 8 officers and 36 crew and of the mariners 164 men were killed.
Of the Royalist the loss was higher, (not a number given) also 69 officers and 368 mariners and sailors were taken prisoner.

The battle was won by Almirante José Prudencio squadron, and it is given that she was the last battle of the War of Independence.
After the battle negotiations were opened between the two parties and on the 5th August the Spanish handed over the power to the Great Venezuelan territory under which Columbia at that time did belong and they evacuated to Cuba.

Columbia 2008 $3.900 sg2536, scott?

Source: http://es.wikipedia.org/wiki/Batalla_na ... _Maracaibo some other web-sites.
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Anatol
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Re: BATTLE OF LAKE MARACAIBO 1823

Post by Anatol » Mon Apr 03, 2017 11:37 am

Battle
During this Naval Battle, the Republican squadron was led by Admiral José Prudencio Padilla against the Royalist forces commanded by Ángel Laborde. After three brief encounters with the Spanish squadron, the Republican fleet went to the port of Moporo, where they spent the first half of July without any major activities. On 17 July Royalist commander Laborde sent to Padilla an offer of friendship which was rejected. The following days were spent in feverish war preparations as the two commanders prepared their ships, gathered supplies, and trained their crews in anticipation of the coming combat.On the afternoon of 23 July the Royalists moved to the west coast of the lake between Captain Chico and Bella Vista (north of Maracaibo) and anchored in line of battle. Meanwhile, the Republicans remained at sail until the evening, and using Los Puertos de Altagracia as background, placed all their ships in a line parallel line to the east coast of the lake and subtly advanced toward Punta de Piedra.At sunrise on 24 July, the Republican ship commanders were called to the brig Independiente where Admiral Padilla gave his final instructions for the battle, making some changes and - still not satisfied - at 10:30, went personally on board all boats in the squadron, in order to harangue and excite his crews so that when the time came to attack the Royalists they would act with the utmost boldness and enthusiasm. At 10:40 the wind veered to the northwest, and 10 minutes later the signal was made to prepared to sail, but with a lessening of the southward breeze the decision to raise anchor was postponed until it was affirmed the breeze was favorable, despite everything inviting an immediate attack on the Royalist squadron which was anchored in front in a line parallel to the coast and very close to it. At 14:00, Padilla ordered the subtle forces and continue to weigh on Royalist boats in its class, at 14:20, made the signal to sail, and minutes later, to form the front line to attack simultaneously all enemy ships, observing movements that were agreed. As the brig Mars was located on the windward side and the Independent to leeward, were providing the ride so that it is perfectly formed and follow the line of battle for the implementation of the plan that Padilla had been proposed.The Republicans ships moved quickly over the Royalist squadron who remained anchored waiting for the attack, the south wing of the squad carrying the Admiral Padilla and the north wing was commanded by Captain Nicholas Joly, cutting off the retreat to the bay. At 15:04, they placed the sign of approaching the opponent, however raised have been answered by all vessels, to show thereby that nothing remained to be done. At 15:45, Royalist fleet squadrons opened fire on the Patriots, but the square of the Great Colombia, continued to advance without firing a shot, until being broken by the cannon fire and musketry. When broken bowsprits the Independent brig, threw themselves over the San Carlos, and began the approach, phase which decided the victory for Republicans.As a result of the Republican attack, many Royalist vessels were destroyed and others captured. Some Royalists, in a most desperate situation, cut their anchor cables and tried to set sail and escape, but failed and the larger vessels were captured. Most of the crew of the San Carlos jumped into the water and the same occurred on the other ships. The brig-schooner Esperanza was destroyed by an explosion. Ultimately, only three schooners managed to escape, seeking shelter by the Fort (Castle) of San Carlos. Republican losses included 8 officers and 36 crew killed, with 14 officers and 150 crew wounded. Royalist casualties were higher, with 69 officers and 368 soldiers and sailors taken prisoner. At days end, Admiral Padilla ordered his squad to make anchor where they had fought. Soon he moved to the Port of Altagracia to repair the damage to the ships. For his part, Commander Laborde was able to pass by the fort and reach the bar, and after a stop in Puerto Cabello set sail for Cuba. The two hours of fierce combat that decided the battle paved the way for negotiations between the Republicans and the Spanish Captain General of Venezuela Francisco Tomás Morales. Morales was forced on 3 August to hand over to the Republicans the rest of the Spanish ships, the City of Maracaibo, the Fort of San Carlos, the Fort of San Felipe in Puerto Cabello, and all other sites occupied by the Spanish. The last Spanish forces left Venezuelan territory on 5 August.
Venezuela1973;0,50;1,0;2,0; SG2227;2228;2229. Colombia 1973;10,0;SG1341. Source:https://www.revolvy.com/main/index.php? ... type=topic.
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aukepalmhof
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Joined: Thu Apr 02, 2009 1:28 am

INDEPENDIENTE 1823

Post by aukepalmhof » Sat May 14, 2022 2:54 am

Here is an image of a stamp depicting José Prudencio Padilla López (1784-1828), a Colombian admiral who fought in the Spanish American wars of independence, best known for his victory over a royalist Spanish fleet in the Battle of Lake Maracaibo on July 24, 1823, a map of the Lake Maracaibo region, and a brig, designed by Colombian artist Ignacio Castillo Cervantes (1922-1995), printed by lithography, and issued by Colombia on May 17, 1984, to commemorate the bicentenary of the admiral's birth.
Admiral Padilla during the Battle of Maracaibo used the INDEPENDIENTE as his flagship, she was during the battle under command of Renato Beluche. Onboard this ship, manned with 110 men, was Padilla with his General Staff. Comparing the stamp with a drawing the INDEPENDIENTE is the vessel depicted on the 1984 stamp.

Have tried to find more on the INDEPENDIENTE, but without any luck, only that she was a brigantine. It looks like she was a merchant ship and only used in the Battle of Maracaibo, she is not more named after this battle.

Colombia 1984 10p sg 1705 Scott No. 933. 2023 $20,000 sg?, Scott. 2023 sheet stamps sg?, Scott?
Source: Internet.
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INDEPENDIENTE brigantine (2).jpg
INDEPENDIENTE brigantine (2).jpg (145.3 KiB) Viewed 379 times
1984 J-P-Padilla-1784-1828-Admiral--warship (2).jpg
1984 J-P-Padilla-1784-1828-Admiral--warship (2).jpg (85.67 KiB) Viewed 379 times
2023 Brigantine-Independiente.jpg
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2023 Battle-of-Lake-Maracaibo-Bicentenary (2).jpg
2023 Battle-of-Lake-Maracaibo-Bicentenary (2).jpg (112.54 KiB) Viewed 109 times

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