Francisco Antonio Mourelle de la Rua was born in 1750 at San Adrian de Corme. As a Spanish naval officer and explorer, he served in his country's Navy in the Guyanas, Trinidad, and the Antilles. He was known for his voyage in 1775 around the northcoast of North America. He later returned on another expedition further north in 1779 to the head of the Gulf of Alaska. In addition to his North American voyages, Mourelle also explored parts of Asia in the Phillippines and Canton, China. In his memory, Maurelle Island in the Discovery Islands located near the South Coast of British Columbia, Canada was named after him. He passed way in 1820 at the of 64.
From the description of Papers of Francisco Antonio Mourelle, 1774-1846. (Huntington Library, Art Collections & Botanical Gardens). WorldCat record id: 747346511
