Frank Abney Hastings was born into a privileged aristocratic family . His passionate interest in artillery and early 19th Century naval warfare, combined with his desire to participate in the Greek fight for independence from Ottoman rule, lead him to become one of the most revered Phillhellenes in Greece today.  Hastings contributed to the Greek cause by designing, building and commanding the first steamship ever used in naval war. 

The Karteria was not perfect but had many revolutionary aspects to her design. She became a great threat to the Turkish fleets and successfully sank and captured many ships. 

She and the legendary Hellas became the first ships of the new Hellenic Navy. Hastings’ fatal wounding off Mesalonghi at the age of 34 was a sad blow for the Greek cause, but the Karteria remained to continue his fight. In Greece Frank Abney Hastings is remembered as a hero. If he had lived he may have become England’s next Nelson.