Konstantinos Kanaris

Konstantinos Kanaris was a Psarian merchant captain who became the most daring naval hero of the Greek War of Independence and later served six terms as Prime Minister of Greece.

In June 1822, avenging the horrific Massacre of Chios, Kanaris steered a small fireship (burloto) directly into the Ottoman flagship under cover of night, destroying the vessel and killing Ottoman Grand Admiral Nasuhzade Ali Pasha.

His extraordinary maritime audacity terrified the Ottoman navy, inspired European Romantics including Victor Hugo, and established him as an immortal symbol of naval courage.