Blas de Lezo
A one-eyed, one-legged, one-handed Spanish admiral who humiliated a massive British fleet against impossible odds.
1689–1741 (age 52)·Spanish admiral·Birthday: February 3
Biography
Blas de Lezo was a living testament to the brutal age of sail, his body a map of wounds sustained in service to the Spanish crown. By the age of 25, he had already lost a leg, an eye, and the use of an arm in various battles, earning the nickname 'Patapalo' (Pegleg). His defining moment came in 1741, as commander of the defenses at Cartagena de Indias. Facing a British invasion force nearly ten times the size of his own—a fleet so vast London had already minted victory medals—De Lezo engineered a masterful defense. Using clever fortifications, guerrilla tactics at sea, and a deep understanding of the terrain and climate, he bogged down the enemy, inflicted devastating losses, and forced a humiliating British retreat. This victory preserved Spanish control of its New World empire for decades, though De Lezo, succumbing to wounds and disease from the siege, died shortly after, a triumphant but broken hero.
#1 When Blas Was Born
The biggest hits of 1689
Blas's Life & Times
The world at every milestone
1689Born
1694Started school
1702Became a teenager
1705Could drive
1707Could vote
1710Turned 21
1719Turned 30
1729Turned 40
1739Turned 50
1741Died at 52
Key Achievements
- Successfully defended the port of Cartagena de Indias in 1741 against a vastly superior British fleet, one of history's greatest naval upsets.
- Served the Spanish Navy with distinction for over 40 years, despite severe and accumulating combat injuries.
- Played a key role in several major battles, including the Battle of Toulon and the capture of the British ship HMS *Stanhope*.
Did You Know?
His full nickname was 'Mediohombre' (Half-Man), referring to his multiple missing limbs and eye.
The British Admiral Edward Vernon had such confidence he would win that he preemptively issued commemorative coins.
He began his naval career as a midshipman at the age of 12.
“I have one eye, one arm, and one leg, but I am enough to defend Cartagena.”
