Burning of the Ottoman Flagship at Chios: What Happened
On the night of 6 to 7 June 1822, the Greek naval hero Konstantinos Kanaris destroyed the flagship of the Ottoman fleet at Chios, in revenge for the massacre on the island. The Ottoman fleet was anchored off Chios, and the crews were celebrating the end of Ramadan. Kanaris, a sailor from the island of Psara, and his comrade Andreas Pipinos sailed two fireships into the anchorage. These were small vessels packed with flammable materials. Kanaris steered his ship right up to the flagship, attached it to the side, set it on fire and escaped in a small boat. The flames reached the flagship's gunpowder store, and the ship exploded. The Kapudan Pasha Kara Ali, the Ottoman admiral who had ordered the massacre at Chios, was fatally injured, and much of the crew, numbering around 2,000 by some accounts, died. The attack caused panic in the Ottoman fleet. Kanaris became a national hero, and fireships became one of the Greek navy's most effective weapons. He later served as a prime minister of Greece.
Frequently Asked Questions
Who was Konstantinos Kanaris?
Konstantinos Kanaris was a sailor from Psara who became a hero of the Greek revolution for his fireship attacks. He later served as prime minister of Greece.
What happened to the Ottoman flagship at Chios?
On the night of 6 to 7 June 1822, Kanaris steered a fireship into the Ottoman flagship off Chios and set it alight. The flames reached its gunpowder, and it exploded.
What is a fireship?
A fireship was a vessel packed with flammable materials, sailed into enemy ships and set on fire. Fireships became one of the Greek navy's most effective weapons.
Who was killed on the Ottoman flagship?
The Ottoman admiral Kara Ali, who had ordered the Chios Massacre, was fatally injured. Much of the crew also died, around 2,000 by some accounts.
Why was the attack on the flagship important?
It was seen as revenge for the Chios Massacre, caused panic in the Ottoman fleet and made Kanaris a national hero.
