No. In 1816 the provinces which constituted the old Spanish vice-royalty, declared independence from Spain, as the United Provinces of the River Plate. Four years later, a Buenos Aires privateer claimed the Islands in what was probably an illegal act and one that was never reported to the Buenos Aires government. After an eight-month trip from Buenos Aires, a rather motley crew, suffering from scurvy, finally put into Port Soledad in November 1820.  The British explorer James Weddell was in Port Salvador in his ship the Jane when the United Provinces vessel arrived. Try Again.