Yñigo Ortiz de Retez

He participated in the expedition to relieve the siege of Nochistlán in 1541 during the Mixtón war, led by Alvarado.

On 16 May, 1545, Ortiz de Retes, in command of the San Juan de Letrán, left port in Tidore, an island which was Spain's stronghold in the Maluku Islands and going by way of the Talaud Islands and the Schoutens, reached the northern coast of New Guinea, which was coasted till the end of August when, having got to the 5° S. latitude, contrary winds and currents forced a return to Tidore where he arrived on 5 October, 1545.

Many islands were encountered and first charted, along the northern coast of New Guinea, and in the Padaidos, Le Maires, Ninigos, Kaniets and Hermits, to some of which Spanish names were given.

[2][3][4] On 20 June, 1545, at the mouth of the Mamberamo river (that was charted as San Agustin), he took possession of the land for the Spanish Crown, in the process giving the island the name by which it is known today.

[6][7] Ortiz de Retes was later imprisoned by the Portuguese in the Moluccas along with the remaining members of Villalobos's expedition.