“Konstantí, you are going to die”. Imagine Konstantinos Kanaris muttering these words. He said them every time he approached a Turkish warship. He was on a fire boat about to detonate.
Konstantinos Kanaris was a Greek statesman. He was also an admiral. More importantly he was a hero of the Greek War of Independence.
Konstantinos Kanaris was born on the island of Psara. The exact year is debated. It was likely 1790 or 1793. He became a seaman to support himself. His family had been seamen since the 18th century. He worked on his uncle’s brig. His uncle was Dimitris Bourekas.
Kanaris became famous during the Greek War of Independence. He distinguished himself as a fire ship captain. He was not initiated into the Filiki Eteria. This society recruited supporters against Turkish rule.
One night Kanaris destroyed the flagship of Nasuhzade Ali Pasha. This Grand Admiral of the Ottoman fleet. This avenged the Chios massacre. The admiral was celebrating Bayram. This allowed Kanaris to position his fire ship unnoticed. The flagship’s powder store exploded. All aboard perished instantly. Turkish casualties were 2300 men. Nasuhzade Ali Pasha himself died.
In November 1822 Kanaris led another attack. This was against the Ottoman fleet at Tenedos.
The Ottoman fleet captured Psara in 1824. Kanaris escaped with some of the population. Others were enslaved or killed. After losing his home he kept attacking Turkish forces. In August 1824 he fought naval battles in the Dodecanese.
In 1825 Kanaris led a raid on Alexandria. The goal was to destroy the Egyptian fleet with fire ships. The wind failed. The Greek ships had to enter Alexandria harbor. The attack failed.
After independence Kanaris became an officer in the Hellenic Navy. He rose to the rank of admiral. He became a politician.
Konstantinos Kanaris gained the confidence of Ioannis Kapodistrias. Kapodistrias was the first Head of State of independent Greece. After Kapodistrias’ assassination Kanaris retired to Syros.
During King Otto’s reign Kanaris served as a minister. Later he was Prime Minister in the provisional government. He served multiple terms. He also served as Navy Minister.
In 1862 Kanaris helped depose King Otto I. He helped elect King George I. During George’s reign Kanaris served as Prime Minister again.
Konstantinos Kanaris died in office in 1877 as Prime Minister. His government stayed in power until a replacement was found. He was buried in the First Cemetery of Athens. His heart was placed in a silver urn.
Konstantinos Kanaris is a national hero. Many statues and busts honor him. He appeared on a Greek 1 coin and a 100 banknote. The Hellenic Navy named five ships after him. A section of a New Zealand fiord was named after him too.
Konstantinos Kanaris married Despoina Maniatis in 1817. They had seven children. Some of his sons also became admirals.
So as you stand before this artwork remember Konstantinos Kanaris. He was a hero a leader and a symbol of Greek independence. His legacy continues to inspire.