Constantine Kanaris

His Excellency Constantine Kanaris Κωνσταντίνος Κανάρης
Konstantinos Kanaris (c.1793-1877) National Historical Museum of Athens
Prime Minister of Greece
In office 16 February 1844 – 30 March 1844
Monarch	Otto
Preceded by	Andreas Metaxas
Succeeded by	Alexandros Mavrokordatos
In office 15 October 1848 – 12 December 1849
Monarch	Otto
Preceded by	Georgios Kountouriotis
Succeeded by	Antonios Kriezis
In office 17 March 1864 – 28 April 1864
Monarch	Otto
Preceded by	Dimitrios Voulgaris
Succeeded by	Zinovios Valvis
In office 7 August 1864 – 9 February 1865
Monarch	George I
Preceded by	Zinovios Valvis
Succeeded by	Benizelos Rouphos
In office 7 June 1877 – 2 September 1877
Monarch	George I
Preceded by	Alexandros Koumoundouros
Succeeded by	Alexandros Koumoundouros
Personal details
Born	1793 or 1795 Psara, Ottoman Greece
Died	2 September 1877 Athens, Kingdom of Greece
Nationality	Greek
Religion	Orthodox Christian
Military service
Allegiance	Kingdom of Greece
Service/branch	Royal Hellenic Navy
Years of service	1821–1844
Rank	Admiral
Battles/wars	War of Independence

Constantine Kanaris or Canaris (Greek: Κωνσταντίνος Κανάρης; 1793 or 1795 – September 2, 1877) was a Greek Prime Minister, admiral and politician who in his youth was a freedom fighter in the Greek War of Independence.

He was born and grew up on the island of Psara, close to the island of Chios, in the Aegean. His exact year of birth is unknown. The official records of the Hellenic Navy indicate 1795 but modern Greek historians believe that 1793 is more probable.

Constantine was left an orphan at a young age. Having to support himself, he chose to become a seaman like most members of his family since the beginning of the 18th century. He was hired as a boy on the brig of his uncle Dimitris Bourekas.

Constantine gained his fame during the Greek War of Independence (1821–1829). Unlike most other prominent figures of the War, he had never been initiated into the Filiki Eteria (Friendly Society), which played a significant role in the revolution against the Ottoman Empire, primarily by secret recruitment of supporters against the Empire.

By early 1821, it had gained enough support to declare a revolution. This declaration seems to have surprised Constantine, who was absent at Odessa. He returned to Psara in haste and was there when the island joined the Revolution on April 10, 1821.

The island formed its own fleet of ships and the famed seamen of Psara, already known for their successful naval combats against pirates and their well-equipped ships, proved to be effective at full naval war. Constantine soon distinguished himself as a fire ship captain.

At Chios, on the moonless night of June 6/June 7, 1822 forces under his command destroyed the flagship of the Turkish admiral Nasuhzade Ali Pasha (or Kara-Ali Pasha) in revenge for the Chios Massacre. The admiral was holding a celebration (Bayram), so Kanaris and his men managed to place a fire ship next to it without being noticed. When the flagship's powder store caught fire, all men aboard were instantly killed. The Ottoman casualties comprised 2000 men, both naval officers and common sailors, as well as Kara-Ali himself.