Enrico Martínez

Enrico Martínez, Henri Martín or Heinrich Martin, (Born in Hamburg, date unknown; d. in Mexico in 1632) was cosmographer to the King of Spain, interpreter for the Spanish Inquisition, publisher, and hydraulic engineer.

In 1607 the Viceroy Don Luis de Velasco entrusted to him the difficult task of draining the valley surrounding Mexico City.

At the same time Philip III commissioned the Spanish ambassador to the Court of France, Don Íñigo Contreras, to find a competent engineer for the work and the Dutchman Adrian Boot, who arrived in Mexico in 1614, was selected.

Between disputes and meetings the time up to 1629 was lost and the mouth of Martínez tunnel having become practically obstructed, the waters of the Cuauhtitlan overflowed into the Lake of Zumpango and Mexico City was placed in great peril.

The ravages of the water were terrible, the greater portion of the houses were rendered uninhabitable, and according to some historians 30,000 persons lost their lives.