“The Officers of the Miaoulis” – A Moment of History Captured

In this stunning illustration by renowned artist Gerasimos Thomas, we see a depiction of the officers aboard the legendary Hellenic Navy vessel, Navarchos Miaoulis. The drawing recreates a historic photograph taken during the ship’s transatlantic voyage in 1900. In the top row, standing from left to right, are: Giotopoulos, Dragatsis, Loprestis, Voulgaris, Groumbos, Paspatis, Georgakopoulos, Papalexopoulos, Papachristos, Christoforou (physician), Panas, Votsis, Kapsampelis, and Theofanidis. Seated in the second row are Melas, Kanellopoulos, Commander Pavlos Kountouriotis, Matthaiopoulos, and Apostolidis. The third row, sitting cross-legged, shows Paparrigopoulos, Bouboulis, and Voureka. Notably missing from the scene is Sub-Lieutenant Malikopoulos, who was behind the camera, capturing this remarkable assembly of men—officers who would go on to shape naval history both in peace and war. This drawing brings to life the proud legacy of the Greek Navy and the incredible story of the Miaoulis’ voyage.

The Timeless Ideal of a Naval Officer: A Vision from 1900

In 1900, amid a sea of historical achievements, the Greek cruiser Miaoulis embarked on a groundbreaking voyage across the Atlantic, carrying not only the flag of Greece but also the hopes of an entire nation. This daring expedition was not just a physical journey but a metaphorical passage toward the future of naval excellence.

Among the remarkable individuals aboard was Matthaios Matthaiopoulos, an esteemed officer whose reflections on what it takes to become a truly great naval leader continue to resonate with timeless relevance. His vision of the ideal naval officer, as penned in the Greek version of 1900: The Adventures of Pavlos Kountouriotis, is not simply a list of technical qualifications but a profound exploration of character, knowledge, and duty.

Matthaiopoulos’ words remind us that the sea, with all its unpredictability and power, teaches virtues that no classroom can instill. The officer he describes must be not only a master of science and strategy but also a leader shaped by the relentless challenges of the ocean. His emphasis on readiness, quick decision-making, integrity, and selfless devotion is as important today as it was then, serving as a blueprint for leadership and perseverance in the face of adversity.

This extraordinary passage, happened more than a century ago, captures the essence of naval tradition and excellence—values that transcend time. It teaches that true leadership is forged through experience, camaraderie, and the unwavering commitment to one’s comrades and country. The virtues that Matthaiopoulos highlights—boldness, discipline, humility, and sacrifice—are cultivated not only through study but through life aboard a ship, where every decision can impact the fate of all.

It is with great pride that we share this inspiring vision on 1900thebook.com, where the full Greek version of this text is available in the original moment of the book. Matthaiopoulos’ words serve as a reminder that naval officers, then and now, are shaped by the sea, by the trials they face, and by their dedication to the service of their homeland.

This is more than history—it is a living legacy that continues to inspire generations of naval officers and leaders across the globe.

The Ideal Naval Officer – Matthaios Matthaiopoulos, 1900

“The ideal Naval Officer,” he writes, “must, above all else, be a masterful astronomer, an adept artillerist, a consummate engineer, an insightful electrician, a learned chemist, a shrewd tactician, a sage strategist, and a deft handler of the myriad instruments that make up the colossal war machine—the floating colossus known as the ‘Warship,’ belonging to a larger entity called the ‘Fleet.’

Acquiring all this knowledge is undoubtedly the result of serious study within the bounds of a classroom. There, the mysteries of all these sciences may be revealed to anyone willing to investigate them. Only study can prepare a Naval Officer for the grand purpose of his calling.

Yet the infinite, the intricate, the ever-changing, and the terrifying force of that element called the sea demand a host of virtues that an Officer can only acquire if he has been initiated into the arduous life of a sailor and into the enigmatic mysteries of the sea—this formidable and inscrutable beast!

Constant readiness, quick perception, instinctive yet secure and flawless decision-making by the Officer, who must act according to the circumstances, decisiveness, and the prudent boldness required to assume unforeseen responsibilities—upon his command rests the salvation of all. Indeed, from the voice of this One, the fate of all depends. These are virtues taught only aboard the ship.

The integrity of character, the fraternal camaraderie among shipmates, which at any moment may be contested when the time comes to impose order, the discipline that springs from justice, which, just as it punishes, must also forgive in equal measure—the calmness of face despite the turmoil of heart required in a critical moment to inspire trust and encourage duty—these are virtues taught only aboard the ship.

The fearless gaze of the Commanding Officer, upon which the fortunes of all aboard rest, the stoicism of one battling hand-to-hand with fate itself, to the very last, without discouragement, without faint-heartedness, without hesitation, and the unwavering persistence in that struggle against the fury of the elements, which threatens everything with destruction—these are virtues taught only aboard the ship.

The unconditional submission of the subordinate to the sanctity of higher authority, which completely annihilates the existence of the ‘I,’ devotion, voluntary sacrifice for comrades, even the deprivation of the purest and most basic desires, such as being deprived of one’s family home, without complaint, for a glory that may never come—and, if it does, will have been approached step by step, through struggle, even against human laws—these are virtues taught only aboard the ship.

And all these virtues and qualities, which the Homeland itself first demands from its Officers, can only be imparted by a well-ordered Navy, one that ensures long educational stays aboard ship and educational voyages. Those who ordered the training voyage of the Cruiser ‘Navarchos Miaoulis’ are truly deserving of gratitude, for they open a new stage, revealing new horizons in education and naval training for the personnel of the Navy.”

Excerpt from “1900: The Adventures of Pavlos Kountouriotis during the first transatlantic voyage onboard masted cruiser ‘NAVARCHOS MIAOULIS'” by Panagiotis Tripontikas and Stefanos Milesis.