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Constantine Kanaris

His Excellency
Constantine Kanaris
Κωνσταντίνος Κανάρης
Constantine Kanaris.jpg
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 Greece Kingdom of Greece
Service/branch Royal Hellenic Navy
Years of service 1821–1844
Rank Greek Navy Admiral Flag.svg 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.


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