FRANCISCO DE ELIZA

'Francisco de Eliza' was a Spanish navigator and explorer. In 1790 the Viceroy of Mexico, Juan Vicente de Güemes Padilla Horcasitas y Aguayo, 2nd Count of Revillagigedo, assigned him to commanded a Spanish expedition to Nootka Sound to rebuild the fort abandoned by Esteban José Martínez after the Nootka Controversy. In 1791 Eliza explored parts of the Strait of Juan de Fuca, the San Juan Islands, and Puget Sound. Some of the names he gave survive, including that of San Juan Island and Orcas Island, both named for his patron the Viceroy of Mexico.
Eliza Island was named in his honor.