Page 414 - Beholding Liberty!

ΙΙΙ.6
The naval struggle:
Α. Tsamados, I. Tobazis, A. Miaoulis
Anastasios Tsamados (1774-1825)
BORN ON HYDRA IN 1774, Anastasios Tsamados made him- self an integral part of the naval tradition of his island, to such an extent that his name is inextricably identified with the renowned brig «Aris». Fearless, mariner, governor and squadron leader under Andreas Miaoulis, he was the first to rush to Chios and attack Kapetan Pasha’s delini (ship of the line). Also, he participated in February 1822 in the naval battle of Patras. The stories of the he- roic seamanship that he lived through the Revolution, Tsamados narrates in the Historical dairies of the Greek naval battles of 1821.
The Hydraean admiral fell heroically in the battle of Sfaktiria, at the entry of the bay of Navarino, on 26 April 1825: The Greeks had fortified the islet, while three ships, among which «Aris» too, protected the small island. When Ibrahim, by massive cannon shooting and a landing operation, occupied Sfaktiria, the forti- fied Greeks did not manage to withstand the attack and suffered great losses, among which Anastasios Tsamados, who at the time of the attack was on land. Heroic was meant to be the exodus of «Aris» from the bay of Navarino: it was the last ship that broke the enemy circle, as it waited in vain for its governor. Aboard «Aris» Alexandros Mavrokordatos and other defenders of the island were rescued and escaped. The rudder was taken by N. Votsis along with D. Sachtouris, attempting an exit toward the open sea, the moment that the central entry of the bay had been blocked by three enemy frigates. With the icon of Panagia (Holy Mary) on the deck, the ship performed a naval manoeuvre and broke out of the enemy ships circle, causing indeed damages to the opponent. The exodus of the brig «Aris» constitutes one of the most heroic and moving instances of the naval struggle of 1821.
414 BEHOLDING LIBERTY!
ΙΙΙ.6.1-2
Rapier and pistol of Iakovos Tombazis
rapier: lenght 73 cm
pistol: length 53 cm Tombazis family Heirlooms