Assembly a decree authorizing the organization of a better
national fleet, and, before proceeding to join in the efforts for the
relief of the Acropolis, he did all that was possible towards the
achievement of this object, making such arrangements as would prevent
any hindrance thereto arising from his temporary absence on the most
pressing work that devolved upon him. Having sent Captain Hastings with
all the available ships on the expedition to the Negropont which has
already been described, he established at Poros the centre of the
administration of the fleet, entrusting its direction to Dr. Gosse, as
Commissary-General. He then visited Hydra, Spetzas, and other islands,
and left in each directions for the inspection of all the ships there
stationed, in order that, according to the national decrees, the best of
them might be bought up by the Government, on equitable terms, and
converted into vessels of war at Poros. During his stay near the Piraeus
he was in almost daily correspondence with Dr. Grosse and Emanuel
Tombazes respecting the purchase of stores, the construction of
gunboats, and every other essential to the fulfilment of his purpose. He
sent Jakomaki Tombazes, the elder of the two brothers, to look out near
Candia for a new corvette which had just been built at Leghorn for the
Pasha of Egypt. All other means in his power were adopted by him for
augmenting the naval strength of Greece, and fitting it to oppose the
force of her enemies so soon as he was able to devote himself
exclusively to that work.

This he did promptly and zealously immediately after the failure of the
expedition in favour of the garrison of the Acropolis. "Brave officers
and soldiers and seamen of the military and naval services," he wrote in
a proclamation issued on the 7th of May, "a defeat of the enemy's naval
force will tenfold repay the check which was sustained in yesterday's
attempt to relieve the Acropolis. Let every man maintain his post as
duty to his country demands, and in a few days I trust you will find
your affairs not only retrieved but secured on a permanent base."

That trust was not fulfilled. The Greeks proved themselves on sea as
well as on land unable to fight worthily, and with enough real
patriotism, for the liberty of their country. But honour must not on
that account be withheld from the man who used all his large experience
and larger philanthropy in trying to put them in the way of victory.

Lord Cochrane