Renato Beluche

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Renato Beluche, also called René Beluche (died 4 October 1860), was a seafarer from New Orleans whose career included merchant shipping, privateering and service in the navy of Venezuela. He took part in the defence of New Orleans and in South American struggles for independence from Spain.

Background and names

The Dictionary of Louisiana Biography gives his birth as 15 December 1780 in New Orleans and identifies his parents as René Beluche and Rosa Laporte. The Venezuelan dictionary agrees on the birthplace and parents but gives 28 December 1773. These reference works therefore differ over his birth date.

Maritime career

Beluche commanded merchant vessels and privateers. During the War of 1812 he captained the Spy with an American commission; he also sailed in the Gulf of Mexico under commissions issued by the revolutionary authorities at Cartagena. In the defence of New Orleans in 1814–1815, he commanded an artillery gun at Chalmette.

After the fall of Cartagena in 1815, his schooner Brisona helped evacuate republicans. He joined Simón Bolívar's 1816 expedition from Haiti, serving as second-in-command of its naval force under Luis Brión. The expedition fought a successful engagement off Los Frailes in May.

Beluche later commanded the brig Independiente in the campaign at Maracaibo. He participated in the republican naval victory of 24 July 1823 and continued to capture Spanish vessels in the Caribbean during 1823–1824.

Later life

After settling at Puerto Cabello, Beluche combined merchant activity with further naval service. His participation in an unsuccessful revolt led to exile in 1836. He subsequently returned to Venezuela; in 1848 he commanded the steamship Libertador in operations on the government's side.

He died at Puerto Cabello on 4 October 1860. His remains were transferred to Venezuela's National Pantheon in 1963.