Samuel Spiro: The Greek Captain Who Became Argentina’s National Hero
Pedro Samuel Spiro was a Greek captain who became Argentina’s national hero for his bravery in fighting against Spanish crown loyalists during the Argentine War of Independence.
It was a revolution of the Europeans who were born in Argentina, the criollos, against the Spanish royalists who occupied all the important places in government. It was inspired by the revolutions of France and America.
It started in May 1810 when the criollos established a new government, but the Spanish crown loyalists fought against them to restore their rule.
Several battles were fought until the criollos won. On July 9, 1816, they declared the country independent under the name of the United Provinces of the Río de la Plata.
Today, this is the day Argentina celebrates Independence Day, although the Argentine War of Independence did not officially conclude until 1818.
Samuel Spiro migrates to Argentina
Greek Navy Captain Spiro left the island of Hydra and emigrated to Buenos Aires with his two brothers in 1810, just when the May Revolution was about to start. He soon became a supporter of the uprising and became active in organizing the neophyte naval forces of the United Provinces of South America.
Spiro was one of the main Argentine navy commanders in the United Provinces’ victory at the Battle of Martin Garcia (March 10-18, 1814). He was Navy Second Lieutenant in command of the schooner “Nuestra Señora del Carmen.” On March 28 of the same year he fought at the naval battle of Arroyo de la China, on the Uruguay river, near Concepcion del Uruguay.
He fought bravely alongside his men but at some point his unit got stranded. To prevent his ship and his men from falling into enemy hands, before disembarking his personnel, he set fire to his magazine, exploding with his ship and his flag at the top of the mast.
The royalist commander in chief, Jacinto de Romarate, claimed that Spiro’s ship blew up after being hit by the guns of his flagship, the brigantine Belen.
Argentina honors the Greek hero
The contribution of Samuel Spiro to Argentina’s uprising is of deep historical significance to Argentines. In the Greek Captain’s honor, the Argentine Navy has named a corvette in the nation’s Naval Fleet “Spiro.”
The Pilot Vessel Corbeta ARA Spiro (P-43), was named to commemorate Spiro’s courageous actions under the command of Admiral Guillermo Brown in the pivotal Battle of Arroyo de la China. The ship is now stationed along the East Coast of South America, serving as a lasting tribute to the Greek hero’s legacy.
The Corbeta ARA Spiro is a Class A Pilot Vessel flying the flag of Argentina. Its overall length (LOA) is 91.2 meters (299 feet), the beam is 11.1 meters (36.4 feet) and its draft is 4.5 meters (14.7 feet).
The Naval Crown with the initials of the Navy of the Argentine Republic, symbol of power and victory at sea, is at the top as an exterior ornament.
The corvette shield shows the name of the Unit in the field corresponding to the Chief, as a place of relevance. The central motif of a classic Greek helmet with a crest stands out. It symbolizes war, the birthplace of Commander Spiro and his brave sacrifice in the style of Hellenic warriors of the sea.
The trident of Poseidon, symbol of sovereignty at sea, and a missile, representing the modern technology that the unit employs, are also featured.
The central silver field represents integrity, firmness and constancy, characteristics of the men of the sea. The sky blue of the border symbolizes the sea and the sky, meaning zeal, justice and loyalty.
Since its incorporation, the ARA Spiro corvette has participated in several joint operations and exercises. The most emblematic of these is Operation Alfil, forming GT 88.0 together with the destroyer ARA Almirante Brown, to participate in Operations Desert Shield and Desert Storm, between September 1990 and April 1991.
The other Greek hero of Argentina
Along with Samuel Spiro, there was another Greek sailor from Hydra who fought for Argentine independence. Nikolaos G. Kolmaniatis (known in Argentina as Nicolas Jorge Colmaniatis) emigrated to the South American country in 1811. He was enlisted in the navy as a sailor, and rose through the ranks to become Rear Admiral.
Kolmaniatis is honored as a national hero in Argentina because he fought in the Argentine War of Independence against the Spanish royalists, leading and training its newly-formed Navy.
Both Kolmaniatis and Spiro were given the ultimate honor of having two Argentine naval ships christened after them.
This special connection Greece has to Argentine naval history was reinforced in September of 2016. The three-masted Argentine training frigate the “Libertad” (Freedom) docked at the port of Piraeus, then made made an official visit to the island of Hydra.
In Hydra, the Greek Navy had organized a special wreath ceremony at their monument, a tribute to the Greek sailor who had helped Argentina gain its independence.
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