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People
Philhellenes (1821-1829)
Thomas Cohrane (1775-1860)
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Lord Thomas Cohrane (1775-1860) [Richard Church]. British Admiral. Cochrane joined the Royal Navy in 1793. He became a cruiser captain and was successful in action in the Napoleonic Wars [Napoleone Buonaparte]. In 1806 he was elected to the House of Commons, but due to his involvement in financial misdealings he was discharged from the Navy and lost his Parliamentary position.
In 1818 Cochrane undertook the organization and leadership of the Chilean Navy. In 1820 he moved into service in Peru and in 1823 was made head of the fleet of Brazil. His contribution to these countries' struggles for independence earned him a reputation as a competent Admiral.
In 1825 he signed an agreement with the Greek Committee, which was at that time negiotiating a loan in London, to take over leadership of the Greek Fleet. In 1827, following a governmental decision, he received 57,000 pounds and was appointed "Admiral of the Fleet of all Greek Naval Forces" instead of Admiral Andreas Miaoulis [People].
However, Cochrane was not able to appreciate how serious the situation of Greece was. He led the Greek forces in Analato {Ανάλατο} to disaster, caused the surrender of those under seige on the Acropolis {Ακρόπολις} and the suppression of the uprising in eastern Mainland Greece. His naval operations were equally unsuccessful.
Lord Thomas Cohrane (1775-1860)
(Statue in Valparaíso, Chile)
05-11-2004