Spetses a small island that has made its mark in Greek history. How could such a small island be famous?
For about a century starting in 1750, its shipowners built hundreds of large sailing ships that carried wheat from the granaries of Russia and Romania on the Black Sea to Italy, France and Spain. But it had to deal with Maltese ships and Barbary pirates who preyed on sea routes. The shipyards of Spetses-which you can still see in the Old Harbour-designed ships that carried both cargo and cannon. They were large enough to be profitable and fast enough to outrun the pirates. With their profits, the shipowners built the mansions which are a hallmark of Spetses.
But the truly great fortunes were made by running the British blockade of Napoleonic Europe. Spetses became a wealthy island with a well armed fleet. By 1808 it had 90 large ships with 1000 canon and 9,000 sailors.
Photos: R. Kennedy Stephen
