In Mexico Malaspina received instructions from the Spanish king, Carlos IV requiring a change of plans.
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Malaspina opted to visit the northern archipelago now known as Vavaʻu.
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The Descubierta and Atrevida were twin corvettes of the Spanish Navy, custom-designed as identical special exploration and scientific research vessels .
He served as writer and reporter on the four-year voyage of the ships Descubierta and Atrevida, captained by Alejandro Malaspina.
Descubierta-class corvette | Descubierta and Atrevida | ''Descubierta'' and ''Atrevida'' | Descubierta |