Battle of Samos

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shipstamps
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Battle of Samos

Post by shipstamps » Wed Aug 20, 2008 3:09 pm


The Greeks relied on the nautical experience and on the courage and ability of the commanders and crews of the fireships for success. The crews of the manned fireships, whether operating in port or in the open sea, were obliged to fasten on to and cling tenaciously to larger enemy vessels, and to set on fire their own ship, while allowing sufficient time for escape. It required calmness, decisiveness and complete co-ordination of action between commanders and crews, to achieve success.
During the War of Independence the Greeks launched 59 attacks by fireships, 39 being successful, 19 unsuccessful, one indecisive. A fireship attack scene at the Battle of Samos is depicted on the 3 dr. stamp, from a popular art painting of this action fought in 1824, hanging in the Benaki Museum, Athens. SG1172

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