THE MERCHANT MARINE IN POST-WAR HERMOUPOLIS

 During the 19th century, merchant marine was a key factor in the formation of the city of Hermoupolis.Its evolution over the following decades further enhanced the status of the island as one of the prime  nancial and transit trade centres in our country.

However, the outbreak of two World Wars in the rst half of the 20th century, led to the degradation of Syros and its signi cance as a  nancial hub.Especially in the aftermath of World War II, and following Greece’s engagement in a devastating civil war, Syros experienced a dire situation.With the entire Greek passenger  eet destroyed during the German invasion in 1941, the island was virtually cut o from the mainland and consequently its residents faced unemployment and poverty.

Syros’s famous textile industry that had  ourished in the past boosting the local economy and o ering employment to a signi cant part of its inhabitants, was now facing problems that led over the years to the decline of the factories and, eventually, to the termination of their operations. On the other hand, the island’s maritime activity had drastically been reduced, as only seven out of 33 ocean-going ships, registered in Syros, survived the war.

In view of this adverse situation, the role played by the merchant shipping industry through initiatives undertaken by various shipowners since the early post-war years, proved to be crucial for the island’s economy and, consequently, for the prosperity of the local population. These initiatives continued unabated for over thirty years and at least until the full integration of our country into the European family, in May 1979.

This exhibition aims to illuminate this reality which is widely unknown, even to a large percentage of the present population of the island of Syros. It is indeed worthy to appreciate and honour the decisive role that merchant marine and several of its people played in keeping alive the status of a historic city of our country.