Could focused sunlight really set ships ablaze? Here at Skaramangas, they put that ancient claim to the test. Skaramangas, a port town, boasts a rich tapestry of history. It stands on the east coast of the Bay of Elefsina. Aigaleo mountain forms a natural barrier. It separates Skaramangas from the bustling heart of Athens.
Skaramangas owes its name to Amvrosios Skaramagas. He was a merchant from Chios. But its claim to fame rests largely on its shipyard.
Since 1937, Skaramangas harbour has been home to a vital shipyard. It initially served the Hellenic Navy. World War II brought destruction. But in 1957, it rose again as a commercial shipyard. It was known as the Hellenic Shipyards Co.
In 2002, German investors took ownership. Howaldtswerke-Deutsche Werft led them. This company became part of ThyssenKrupp in 2005. The Skaramangas Shipyards is the largest in Greece. It is also the largest in the eastern Mediterranean. Stavros Niarchos, a Greek tycoon, founded it.
Did you know Skaramangas was the site of a fiery experiment? In 1973, Ioannis Sakkas tested Archimedes’ heat ray theory here. Archimedes supposedly used focused sunlight to burn Roman ships. This was during the Siege of Syracuse. Ancient accounts mention it but historians debate it.
Sakkas used 70 copper-coated mirrors. These mirrors focused sunlight. They set a plywood warship mock-up on fire. The mock-up was 50 meters away. This showed that Archimedes’ feat was indeed possible.
The Skaramangas Shipyards have built various vessels. These include fast patrol boats, gunboats, frigates and submarines. They are based on French or German designs. The shipyard also makes metal and machinery constructions. They produce railcars and railroad cars too.
Mismanagement by the German TKMS group led to a decline. The number of employees decreased. In 2010, Abu Dhabi Mar agreed to purchase 75.1% of the company. By 2023, George Prokopiou’s Milina Enterprises Company Limited acquired 100%.
Skaramangas has seen population changes over the years. In 1991, it had 2,309 residents. By 2001, the population dropped to 968. In 2011, it rose slightly to 1,255. The 2021 census recorded 1,064 residents.
Skaramangas stands as a testament to industry and innovation. From naval origins to daring experiments, its story continues to unfold.