Page 426 - Beholding Liberty!

ΙΙΙ.9
The Philhellenes: F.A. Hastings, Byron, Fabvier, Gordon
Frank Abney Hastings (1794-1828)
OFFICER OF THE NAVY and one of the greatest British Phil- hellenes, he reached Hydra on 3 April 1822. After his enrolment in the Greek navy he undertook the command of a warship, the corvette «Themistocles».
Bearer of innovative ship-building and equipment techniques, in 1824 he submitted to the Greek government his famous mem- orandum about the reforms that he deemed necessary for the artillery of the Greek navy, stressing the need for its reinforce- ment with steam-powered ships. Financed by him (or, according to another version with the economic support of the London Phil- hellenic Committee) the corvette «Perseverance» (Karteria) was built in London, which sailed into the Argive gulf at the begin- ning of September 1826, with himself as Governor, being the first steam-powered ship that took part in military operations.
Hastings with «Perseverance» participated in important naval battles. His most remarkable deed was the entry of the squadron he commanded, in September 1827, in the Corinthian gulf through the Rio-Antirio strait, since the forts at the two extremities of the strait were equipped with powerful gun emplacements. In the so- called naval battle of Angali, in the bay of Itea, «Perseverance» sank by itself the Turkish flagship, destroying 9 of the 11 ships.
In May 1828, in his effort to occupy Aitoliko, Hastings sustained a serious hand injury. Before being transferred to Zakynthos, he contracted tetanus and died. His funeral took place with the be- stowal of great honours the following year on Poros, where he was transported aboard the «Perseverance», accompanied by the Governor and a squadron of warships. The eulogy was delivered by Spyridon Trikoupis.
426 BEHOLDING LIBERTY!
ΙΙΙ.9.1
General Newspaper of Greece, sheet 90, p. 1
(Nafplio, 8 September 1826)
Reference to the ceremonial launching of Hastings’ ship «Karteria» in Nafplio
Library of the Hellenic Parliament
REFERENCE TO THE LAUNCHING OF HAST- INGS’ «KARTERIA» («Perseverance») in the harbour of Nafplio, on 4 September at 11.00, when gun salutes were fired in celebration. This is the first steam-powered ship of the Greek navy. As it is evident, the Administration rewarded Hastings, who was held «in the highest esteem» among the Greeks, for all he had offered to the Struggle, by appointing him frigate command- er and praising him for his natural and acquired virtues. Conclud- ing, the article states that «Greece anticipates his outstanding feats».