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The pre-revolutionary times
In the late 18th century and early 19th century, Hydra develops a great naval power with a commercial fleet of 150 ships. The new features that gave the Greek merchant navy the Russo-Turkish Treaty of Küçük Kaynarca (1774) together with the favor of the Ottoman administration, which relied much on seamanship of Hydra, who served in the Turkish fleet, the government ensured that the island had the highest strength and thus the economic and spiritual flourishing and put the skilful and motivated George Voulgaris as deputy commander in the Turkish fleet.
Voulgaris was placed by the Sultan as Commander and nazir (supervisor) of Hydra and for some time for the islands of Poros and Spetses, in order to impose the order. The prudent administration of Voulgaris and the Ottoman favor in his face, contributed to the elevation of Hydra island into a model of well-order place.
The period of the financial health, of suppressing piracy and the esoteric order that followed during the time of George Voulgaris, gave the opportunity to Hydra to re-organize their society and at the same time to become experienced sailors from the constant battles with the pirates.
Hydra, from early on, was used as a naval station, thus its leading role in maritime trade and communications. Also the trade flourishes in the late 18th century and early 19th. Then Hydra took advantage of the Anglo-French conflict and amassed substantial profits by controlling the maritime trade, breaking the blockade which was imposed by England in the ports of France, during the Napoleonic wars.
Hydra gradually became master of the sea routes of the Mediterranean and the first naval force between the Greek islands.
The high level of development of maritime and commercial activity demonstrates the foundation of the naval school with the calling of Italian and Portuguese teachers for the systematic teaching of seamanship, and the adoption of specific laws and rules to regulate such transactions.
Therefore is completely understandable, that the moment of starting the Revolution in 1821, found the small insignificant until recently island of the Saronic Gulf numbering about 27,000 inhabitants. |
