George Colvocoresses

George Musalas "Colvos" Colvocoresses (October 22, 1816 – June 3, 1872) was an American Navy officer who commanded the Saratoga during the American Civil War. From 1838 up until 1842, he took part in the United States Exploring Expedition, which explored large regions of the Pacific Ocean.

George Musalas Colvocoresses
Nickname(s)"Colvos"
Born(1816-10-22)October 22, 1816
Chios, Ottoman Empire
DiedJune 3, 1872(1872-06-03) (aged 55)
Bridgeport, Connecticut, U.S.
Allegiance United States
BranchUnited States Navy
Service years1832–1872
RankCaptain
Commands held
WarsAmerican Civil War

Biography

Early life

He was born on the island of Chios in the Greek Archipelago on October 22, 1816. As a member of a prominent Greek family, he was kidnapped along with his mother and two sisters and ransomed from the Turks after the massacre of the Greek population of the island in 1822, during the Greek War of Independence. His family's fortunes were devastated by the massacre. Most close relatives, including six brothers, were killed. He was enslaved at 6 years of age, but his father managed to buy back his freedom.

By 1824, Colvocoresses was sent to Baltimore in the United States by his father.[1] He became the adopted son of Captain Alden Partridge, the founder of the American Literary, Scientific, and Military Academy (later Norwich University) in Norwich, Vermont. Colvocoresses entered the Navy after graduating from the Academy in 1831. Several generations of his family have also graduated from Norwich and followed military careers.

In 1832, he was appointed a midshipman, and in 1836-1837 attached to the frigate United States on the Mediterranean Squadron. From 1838 up until 1842, he served in the United States Exploring Expedition, better known as the Wilkes Expedition of the Pacific Ocean. Colvocoresses authored a work on the Wilkes Expedition in 1852, entitled Four Years in a Government Exploring Expedition. He was promoted to lieutenant on December 7, 1843 and to commander on July 2, 1861.

On January 29, 1862, the vessel Supply, under his command, captured the Confederate schooner Stephen Hart off the south coast of Florida, carrying assorted cargo. In early August 1864 with 115 men in 7 boats from his sloop Saratoga, he conducted an expedition to gather intelligence and capture enemy prisoners. Two week later, at South Newport, Georgia, Colvocoresses led 130 men in boats, capturing a lieutenant and 38 privates of the Third South Carolina Cavalry, six overseers of saltworks he had destroyed, and 71 slaves.

He was promoted to captain and placed on the retired list on April 4, 1867.

Colvocoresses was robbed and murdered in Bridgeport, Connecticut on June 3, 1872 while on his way to New York. The case was never solved.[2]

Legacy

Colvocoresses was married twice. From his first union, with Adeline Maria Swasey, he had four children, including Frank E. and George P. His second marriage was with Eliza T. Halsey.

  • His son, George Partridge Colvocoresses—named for his father's benefactor—also led a distinguished military career, rising to the rank of admiral in the U.S. Navy. He served under then-Commodore George Dewey in the Asiatic Fleet, and distinguished himself in service during the Spanish–American War. His name appears on the Centennial Staircase at Norwich.
  • His great-grandson, Alden Partridge Colvocoresses, received the Purple Heart as well as two Silver Stars. His career spanned World War II, the Korean War, and the Vietnam War. After leaving the army, Alden was a pioneer in satellite mapping techniques, including the Space Oblique Mercator projection that maps images from Landsat satellites, which he used to develop the first satellite map of the United States.

Namesake

See also

Notes
  1. Ilich, Miljan Peter (2012). "The Chian Federation - Children of the Chios Massacre". chianfed.org. Archived from the original on June 11, 2013. Retrieved March 19, 2012.
  2. Ross, Greg (January 12, 2011). "An Obscure Exit". futilitycloset.com. Retrieved 19 March 2012.

References
  • Chryssis, George C. A Concise History of the Hellenic Presence in America from 1528 to Present. Hellenic News of America, Inc. Retrieved on June 2, 2006
  • Dwyer, John B. Observations from the Edge of the World. (Annapolis, June 2008). pp. 52–57.
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