What I can see

The battleship Averoff belongs to the diamonds of the Greek Navy and has been linked to the most difficult moments of Greek history in the 20th century. Although when it was purchased it was already an outdated type of warship, it was the best that a country like Greece could have at that time. Today, the 141-metre ship is a floating museum, having been fully restored both externally and internally (cabins, offices, bridge, kitchens, chapel, etc.).

What I can't see

The deposit (8,000,000 Gold Drachmas) for the acquisition of the battleship came from the will of Georgios Averoff, provided it would bear his name and would be a training ship of the Naval Academy. During the Balkan Wars, under the command of Admiral Kountouriotis, it was the head of the Hellenic Battle of Elli (3/12/1912) on the shores of Gallipolis along with four other ships, where its daring maneuvers forced the Ottoman fleet to stop. About two months later, it took part in the Battle of Lemnos, whereupon the Sultan’s plans to control the Aegean Sea were completely halted. In the Asia Minor Catastrophe, it was on the Turkish coast to transport the defeated Greek troops as well as Greek refugees. In World War II, it was initially ordered to deliberately sink so that it would not fall into the enemy’s hands after the collapse of the Greek defense against Nazi Germany. Eventually, however, it sailed to Alexandria of Egypt along with the remaining fleet, and participated in convoys in the Indian Ocean. It returned to Greece after the end of the war, and transported  the exiled Greek government from Alexandria back to Athens.

Info

• Address: Nautical Park

Bibliography