On Wednesday 26th April 2017, the historical Battle Cruiser “Georgios Averof” started being maintained with a focus on the ship’s hull, the upper decks and the renovation of interior areas. The expected duration of the work will be two months.
This maintenance work is necessary for the ship in order to retain her as a significant monument of the Hellenic Naval History. Part of the needs for the maintenance will be covered by sponsorships.
The Battle Cruiser “Georgios Averof” is a national monument, since she has achieved only victories, being the only part of the Greek Territory that has been continuously free for the last 106 years and teaching the Greek Naval History, national pride and dignity.
In 1912, when Greece liberated the biggest part of the Aegean from the Ottoman Empire, it took only one ship, the Battle Cruiser “Georgios Averof”, a skilful Admiral, namely Admiral Pavlos Kountouriotis, and a dedicated crew to make the big difference for our fleet and win two battles. This ship with her crew, in the critical moments of two naval battles overran the Ottoman fleet remarking that it’s not about numbers only. It’s about willingness and dedication to fight for a higher cause.
She’s the only “alive” ship that participated actively in both World Wars, concluding her mission in 1945 during the celebrations for the integration of the Dodecanese with Greece.
She was named after Georgios Averof, a Greek national benefactor who paid for 1/3 of her cost, while the other 2/3 was paid by the Treasure of the National Fleet and sponsorships by Greeks from all over the world.
The Battle Cruiser “Georgios Averof” is on display at Faliro, in Athens. As a Naval Afloat Museum she’s being visited by 60.000 visitors every year. The number of visitors increases every year, while 25.000 of them are students.
