The United States Mediterranean squadron and the Greek War of Independence: The operation on Mykonos and the role of the pirate Mermelechas

Item

Title

Piracy

United States of America

Mermelechas

Philhellenism

Mykonos

Reception of the 1821 Greek Revolution

Date

14 December 2021

Abstract

In response to the boom of piracy during the Greek War of Independence, Western powers, including the USA, sent naval squadrons to the Aegean to protect their commercial interests. Only limited attention has hitherto been given to these squadrons, even though their operations raise many interesting issues. This talk focuses on the operations of the US Mediterranean Squadron, which represent “the first extensive experience of Greece by a large number of Americans”. It examines aspects of the political deliberations and tactical operations of the squadron, and the cultural interaction of its personnel with the revolutionary Greeks. Emphasis is placed on a violent operation on Mykonos in 1827, which targeted the pirate Mermelechas, a semi-legendary local hero, who intrigued the Americans to a surprising extent. This interest can be explained in the light of the “Greek fervour” and the passion for pirate stories which swept the USA at the time. More broadly, the paper exposes the role of the US Mediterranean Squadron in carrying textual and visual documentation of the revolutionary Greeks across the Atlantic.

(Edited description from organiser’s website)

From the description of the event, as it was published on the organizer's website.

Type specialization

Speech/Lecture

Format

Data sets

Language

Greek

Bibliographic Citation

https://www.ascsa.edu.gr/events/details/Operation-Mykonos-Role-of-the-Pirate-Mermelechas-gr

https://vimeo.com/656984198

Number Of Pages - Duration

01:07:00

Rights

Item sets

Universities - Research Centers: Conferences - events

Libraries - Institutions: Initiatives and events

Position: 8056 (20 views)