Admiral Julián Irízar (Capilla del Señor, Buenos Aires Province, January 7, 1869 – March 17, 1935) was an officer of the Argentine Navy. He became a key figure in the modernization of the navy's fleet, the commander of the First Division of the Navy and later Naval Center President, but his most memorable action was as commander of the corvette Uruguay in the 1903 rescue of the Swedish Antarctic Expedition led by Otto Nordenskjöld, whose ship, the Antarctic was destroyed by ice. At the time of the rescue he held the rank Capitán de Corbeta (Lieutenant Commander). (See ARA Uruguay for more information.)

Early career

Irízar entered the Naval Academy on March 11, 1884. In 1898 he was part of the commission to monitor construction of the frigate ARA Presidente Sarmiento in England. When in 1899 that ship embarked on its first voyage of circumnavigation, he was an officer of the staff of the ship. Becoming a specialist in explosives, he then took postings as naval attaché at the diplomatic missions in Britain and Germany, and as purchasing agent for the Navy for ammunition and artillery materials.

Later career

Irizar was promoted to Capitán de Fragata (Commander) following the rescue of the Swedish Expedition. He retired on January 8 of 1932, and died four years later.

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