José María Narváez
José María Narváez | |
|---|---|
| Born | 1768 Cádiz, Spain |
| Died | August 4, 1840 (aged 71–72) Guadalajara, Mexico |
| Nationality | Spanish |
| Occupation(s) | naval officer, explorer, and navigator |
José María Narváez (1768 – August 4, 1840) was a Spanish naval officer, explorer, and navigator notable for his work in the Gulf Islands and Lower Mainland of present-day British Columbia. In 1791, as commander of the schooner Santa Saturnina, he led the first European exploration of the Strait of Georgia, including a landing on present-day British Columbia's Sunshine Coast. He also entered Burrard Inlet, the site of present-day Vancouver, British Columbia.