George Colvocoresses
Encyclopedia
George Musalas "Colvos" Colvocoresses (October 22, 1816 – June 3, 1872) was a United States Navy
officer who commanded the USS Saratoga
during the American Civil War
. From 1838 up until 1842, he served in the United States Exploring Expedition, better known as the Wilkes Expedition, which explored large regions of the Pacific Ocean
. Three separate geographical features, two on the west coast of the US and another in Antarctica, were named for Colvocoresses.
in the Grecian
Archipelago
on October 22, 1816, during the Greek War of Independence
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. 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
, Maryland
in United States
by his father. http://72.14.207.104/search?q=cache:GSZ5Xgwkc7MJ:www.chianfed.org/mos/index2.php%3Foption%3Dcom_content%26do_pdf%3D1%26id%3D33+were+named+for+Colvocoresses&hl=en&gl=us&ct=clnk&cd=7 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 Norwich in 1831. Several generations of his family, including his son, great-grandson, and great-great-granddaughter, have also graduated from Norwich and followed military careers.
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
. Captain Colvocoresses later authored a work on the Wilkes Expedition, entitled Four Years in a Government Exploring Expedition (New York
, 1855).
On January 29, 1862, the vessel USS 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 USS 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 mysteriously murdered in Bridgeport, Connecticut
on June 3, 1872 while on his way to New York
.
United States Navy
The United States Navy is the naval warfare service branch of the United States Armed Forces and one of the seven uniformed services of the United States. The U.S. Navy is the largest in the world; its battle fleet tonnage is greater than that of the next 13 largest navies combined. The U.S...
officer who commanded the USS Saratoga
USS Saratoga (1842)
USS Saratoga, a sloop-of-war, was the third ship of the United States Navy to be named for the Battle of Saratoga of the American Revolutionary War. Her keel was laid down in the summer of 1841 by the Portsmouth Navy Yard...
during the American Civil War
American Civil War
The American Civil War was a civil war fought in the United States of America. In response to the election of Abraham Lincoln as President of the United States, 11 southern slave states declared their secession from the United States and formed the Confederate States of America ; the other 25...
. From 1838 up until 1842, he served in the United States Exploring Expedition, better known as the Wilkes Expedition, which explored large regions of the Pacific Ocean
Pacific Ocean
The Pacific Ocean is the largest of the Earth's oceanic divisions. It extends from the Arctic in the north to the Southern Ocean in the south, bounded by Asia and Australia in the west, and the Americas in the east.At 165.2 million square kilometres in area, this largest division of the World...
. Three separate geographical features, two on the west coast of the US and another in Antarctica, were named for Colvocoresses.
Early life and education
Born on the island of ChiosChios
Chios is the fifth largest of the Greek islands, situated in the Aegean Sea, seven kilometres off the Asia Minor coast. The island is separated from Turkey by the Chios Strait. The island is noted for its strong merchant shipping community, its unique mastic gum and its medieval villages...
in the Grecian
Greece
Greece , officially the Hellenic Republic , and historically Hellas or the Republic of Greece in English, is a country in southeastern Europe....
Archipelago
Archipelago
An archipelago , sometimes called an island group, is a chain or cluster of islands. The word archipelago is derived from the Greek ἄρχι- – arkhi- and πέλαγος – pélagos through the Italian arcipelago...
on October 22, 1816, during the Greek War of Independence
Greek War of Independence
The Greek War of Independence, also known as the Greek Revolution was a successful war of independence waged by the Greek revolutionaries between...
as a member of a prominent Greek family, he was kidnapped along with his mother and two sisters and ransomed from the Turks
Ottoman Empire
The Ottoman EmpireIt was usually referred to as the "Ottoman Empire", the "Turkish Empire", the "Ottoman Caliphate" or more commonly "Turkey" by its contemporaries...
after the massacre of the Greek population of the island in 1822. 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
Baltimore
Baltimore is the largest independent city in the United States and the largest city and cultural center of the US state of Maryland. The city is located in central Maryland along the tidal portion of the Patapsco River, an arm of the Chesapeake Bay. Baltimore is sometimes referred to as Baltimore...
, Maryland
Maryland
Maryland is a U.S. state located in the Mid Atlantic region of the United States, bordering Virginia, West Virginia, and the District of Columbia to its south and west; Pennsylvania to its north; and Delaware to its east...
in United States
United States
The United States of America is a federal constitutional republic comprising fifty states and a federal district...
by his father. http://72.14.207.104/search?q=cache:GSZ5Xgwkc7MJ:www.chianfed.org/mos/index2.php%3Foption%3Dcom_content%26do_pdf%3D1%26id%3D33+were+named+for+Colvocoresses&hl=en&gl=us&ct=clnk&cd=7 He became the adopted son of Captain Alden Partridge
Alden Partridge
Alden Partridge, was an American author, legislator, officer, surveyor, an early superintendent of the United States Military Academy at West Point, New York and a controversial pioneer in U.S...
, the founder of the American Literary, Scientific, and Military Academy (later Norwich University
Norwich University
Norwich University is a private university located in Northfield, Vermont . The university was founded in 1819 at Norwich, Vermont, as the American Literary, Scientific and Military Academy. It is the oldest of six Senior Military Colleges, and is recognized by the United States Department of...
) in Norwich
Norwich
Norwich is a city in England. It is the regional administrative centre and county town of Norfolk. During the 11th century, Norwich was the largest city in England after London, and one of the most important places in the kingdom...
, Vermont
Vermont
Vermont is a state in the New England region of the northeastern United States of America. The state ranks 43rd in land area, , and 45th in total area. Its population according to the 2010 census, 630,337, is the second smallest in the country, larger only than Wyoming. It is the only New England...
. Colvocoresses entered the Navy after graduating from Norwich in 1831. Several generations of his family, including his son, great-grandson, and great-great-granddaughter, have also graduated from Norwich and followed military careers.
Naval career
In 1832, he was appointed a midshipman, and in 1836-1837 attached to the frigate USS United StatesUSS United States (1797)
USS United States was a wooden-hulled, three-masted heavy frigate of the United States Navy and the first of the six original frigates authorized for construction by the Naval Act of 1794...
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
Pacific Ocean
The Pacific Ocean is the largest of the Earth's oceanic divisions. It extends from the Arctic in the north to the Southern Ocean in the south, bounded by Asia and Australia in the west, and the Americas in the east.At 165.2 million square kilometres in area, this largest division of the World...
. Captain Colvocoresses later authored a work on the Wilkes Expedition, entitled Four Years in a Government Exploring Expedition (New York
New York
New York is a state in the Northeastern region of the United States. It is the nation's third most populous state. New York is bordered by New Jersey and Pennsylvania to the south, and by Connecticut, Massachusetts and Vermont to the east...
, 1855).
On January 29, 1862, the vessel USS Supply, under his command, captured the Confederate
Confederate States of America
The Confederate States of America was a government set up from 1861 to 1865 by 11 Southern slave states of the United States of America that had declared their secession from the U.S...
schooner Stephen Hart off the south coast of Florida
Florida
Florida is a state in the southeastern United States, located on the nation's Atlantic and Gulf coasts. It is bordered to the west by the Gulf of Mexico, to the north by Alabama and Georgia and to the east by the Atlantic Ocean. With a population of 18,801,310 as measured by the 2010 census, it...
, carrying assorted cargo. In early August 1864 with 115 men in 7 boats from his sloop USS Saratoga
USS Saratoga (1842)
USS Saratoga, a sloop-of-war, was the third ship of the United States Navy to be named for the Battle of Saratoga of the American Revolutionary War. Her keel was laid down in the summer of 1841 by the Portsmouth Navy Yard...
, he conducted an expedition to gather intelligence and capture enemy prisoners. Two week later, at South Newport
Newport
Newport is a city and unitary authority area in Wales. Standing on the banks of the River Usk, it is located about east of Cardiff and is the largest urban area within the historic county boundaries of Monmouthshire and the preserved county of Gwent...
, Georgia
Georgia (U.S. state)
Georgia is a state located in the southeastern United States. It was established in 1732, the last of the original Thirteen Colonies. The state is named after King George II of Great Britain. Georgia was the fourth state to ratify the United States Constitution, on January 2, 1788...
, Colvocoresses led 130 men in boats, capturing a lieutenant and 38 privates of the Third South Carolina
South Carolina
South Carolina is a state in the Deep South of the United States that borders Georgia to the south, North Carolina to the north, and the Atlantic Ocean to the east. Originally part of the Province of Carolina, the Province of South Carolina was one of the 13 colonies that declared independence...
Cavalry, six overseers of saltworks he had destroyed, and 71 slaves. He was mysteriously murdered in Bridgeport, Connecticut
Bridgeport, Connecticut
Bridgeport is the most populous city in the U.S. state of Connecticut. Located in Fairfield County, the city had an estimated population of 144,229 at the 2010 United States Census and is the core of the Greater Bridgeport area...
on June 3, 1872 while on his way to New York
New York
New York is a state in the Northeastern region of the United States. It is the nation's third most populous state. New York is bordered by New Jersey and Pennsylvania to the south, and by Connecticut, Massachusetts and Vermont to the east...
.
Colvocoresses' legacy
The Captain 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, Adm. George Partridge ColvocoressesGeorge Partridge ColvocoressesGeorge Partridge Colvocoresses was a United States Navy rear admiral. He was the son of Captain George M. Colvocoresses, the adopted son of Captain Alden Partridge, founder of Norwich University in Vermont. George P...
, (NUNorwich UniversityNorwich University is a private university located in Northfield, Vermont . The university was founded in 1819 at Norwich, Vermont, as the American Literary, Scientific and Military Academy. It is the oldest of six Senior Military Colleges, and is recognized by the United States Department of...
Class 1866), named for his father's benefactor, also led a distinguished military career, rising to the rank of AdmiralAdmiralAdmiral is the rank, or part of the name of the ranks, of the highest naval officers. It is usually considered a full admiral and above vice admiral and below admiral of the fleet . It is usually abbreviated to "Adm" or "ADM"...
in the US Navy. Served under then-Commodore George DeweyGeorge DeweyGeorge Dewey was an admiral of the United States Navy. He is best known for his victory at the Battle of Manila Bay during the Spanish-American War...
(NU 1855) in the Asiatic Fleet, and distinguished himself in service during the Spanish-American WarSpanish-American WarThe Spanish–American War was a conflict in 1898 between Spain and the United States, effectively the result of American intervention in the ongoing Cuban War of Independence...
. His name appears on the Centennial Staircase at NorwichNorwichNorwich is a city in England. It is the regional administrative centre and county town of Norfolk. During the 11th century, Norwich was the largest city in England after London, and one of the most important places in the kingdom...
.
- Col. Alden Partridge ColvocoressesAlden Partridge ColvocoressesColonel Alden Partridge Colvocoresses , USA , developed in 1973 - 1979 the Space-oblique Mercator projection with John Parr Snyder and John L. Junkins...
, USA (Ret.), and great-grandson of George M. Colvocoresses, received the Purple HeartPurple HeartThe Purple Heart is a United States military decoration awarded in the name of the President to those who have been wounded or killed while serving on or after April 5, 1917 with the U.S. military. The National Purple Heart Hall of Honor is located in New Windsor, New York...
as well as two Silver Stars with Oak Leaf Clusters, the second awarded under the command of Major General Ernest N. HarmonErnest N. HarmonErnest Nason Harmon was a United States Army general. He is best known for his actions in reorganizing U.S. II Corps after the debacle at the Battle of the Kasserine Pass in North Africa during World War II....
. 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 satelliteSatelliteIn the context of spaceflight, a satellite is an object which has been placed into orbit by human endeavour. Such objects are sometimes called artificial satellites to distinguish them from natural satellites such as the Moon....
mapMapA map is a visual representation of an area—a symbolic depiction highlighting relationships between elements of that space such as objects, regions, and themes....
of the United StatesUnited StatesThe United States of America is a federal constitutional republic comprising fifty states and a federal district...
.
- Colvocoresses' great-great-granddaughter, Gretchen Herrboldt Hahn, graduated from Norwich UniversityNorwich UniversityNorwich University is a private university located in Northfield, Vermont . The university was founded in 1819 at Norwich, Vermont, as the American Literary, Scientific and Military Academy. It is the oldest of six Senior Military Colleges, and is recognized by the United States Department of...
in 2005. Gretchen received her commission as a 2nd Lieutenant in the U.S. ArmyUnited States ArmyThe United States Army is the main branch of the United States Armed Forces responsible for land-based military operations. It is the largest and oldest established branch of the U.S. military, and is one of seven U.S. uniformed services...
on May 8, her great-great Uncle, Col. Alden Partridge ColvocoressesAlden Partridge ColvocoressesColonel Alden Partridge Colvocoresses , USA , developed in 1973 - 1979 the Space-oblique Mercator projection with John Parr Snyder and John L. Junkins...
, USA (Ret.) gave her the commissioning oath. Alden is the great-grandson of George M. Colvocoresses and a key link in a military family whose roots are entwined deep in the Norwich tradition.http://72.14.207.104/search?q=cache:VxyHBfVL6wMJ:www.norwich.edu/about/news/2004/legacy.html+George+Colvocoresses&hl=en&gl=us&ct=clnk&cd=1
Honors
- Colvos PassageColvos PassageThe Colvos Passage is a tidal strait within Puget Sound in the American state of Washington running west of Vashon Island between the island and the Kitsap Peninsula. It lies just north of the Tacoma Narrows. One of the more interesting things about the Colvos Passage is that it has a permanent...
, a tidal strait in Puget SoundPuget SoundPuget Sound is a sound in the U.S. state of Washington. It is a complex estuarine system of interconnected marine waterways and basins, with one major and one minor connection to the Strait of Juan de Fuca and the Pacific Ocean — Admiralty Inlet being the major connection and...
, was named in honor of Colvocoresses.