AP PHOTOS: Greece's great declutter at battle coastline
Posted July 18, 2020 7:00 am
SALAMINA, Greece (AP) - Greece is commemorating one of the greatest naval battles in ancient history this year at Salamis, the claw-shaped island skirting the mainland near Athens.
It's where the invading Persian navy suffered a heavy defeat 2,500 years ago, their large vessels unable to properly maneuver in the narrow seaways.
Salamis, now known as Salamina, has become an extended suburb of the capital, a blue-collar retirement and summer home spot.
It still looks out over a fleet of sunken and partially sunken vessels.
Heavily rusted cargo ships and tugboats, battered sailboats and fishing trawlers are scattered and abandoned between Salamina and Greece's largest industrial zone with oil refineries, shipyards and a massive Chinese-owned container port.
With the main commemoration events just months away, Greece is in a race to declutter the coastline and has already salvaged dozens of ships, which are dragged to shore, cut up and transported to scrapyards in central Greece.
'œThis is a historic site and it's in terrible shape,'ť said Christos Maridakis, a gruff-spoken retired submarine officer from the Salamis International Foundation, a privately-funded organization helping with the commemoration events.
'œPeople working here are full of passion to get the job done in the short time we have. It's a battle,'ť he said, standing near two excavators on the Salamina shoreline, with rollers partially submerged.
The machines are used to lift chunks of metal onto land, to be cut into smaller pieces.
'œSo far we've pulled up 36 vessels of the 50 we were contracted for,'ť said Giorgos Kallaitzidis, a scrap metal contractor, which operates four salvaging areas on the island. 'œWe separate the material from the vessels onshore, mostly wood and metal, then it's loaded up into trucks.'ť
Salamis-related events include multiple museum exhibitions and the issue of a 10-euro commemorative coin by the Bank of Greece. The events will run through 2021 when Greece will also hold bicentennial celebrations for the anniversary of the Greek Revolution and war of independence from Ottoman rule.
The 480 BC Battle of Salamis is seen many historians as a turning point in history that allowed ancient Greece to flourish. It's a view keenly shared by Maridakis, who still wears his old navy submarine hat to shield himself from the sun.
'œThis is the 2,500th birthday not just for us but for Europe and Western civilization,'ť he said. 'œAfter what happened here, we discovered democracy, theater, philosophy. If we had not prevailed at Salamis, our way of life would probably be different - less free.'ť
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A floating crane holds an old vessel as a worker checks the progress of shipwreck raising operation on Salamina island, west of Athens, on Friday, Nov. 8, 2019. Greece this year is commemorating one of the greatest naval battles in ancient history at Salamis, where the invading Persian navy suffered a heavy defeat 2,500 years ago. But before the celebrations can start in earnest, authorities and private donors are leaning into a massive decluttering operation. They are clearing the coastline of dozens of sunken and partially sunken cargo ships, sailboats and other abandoned vessels. (AP Photo/Thanassis Stavrakis)
The Associated Press
A dinghy with workers leaves from Damari, an area with eleven shipwrecks, on Salamina island, west of Athens, on Wednesday, Feb. 13, 2020. Greece this year is commemorating one of the greatest naval battles in ancient history at Salamis, where the invading Persian navy suffered a heavy defeat 2,500 years ago. But before the celebrations can start in earnest, authorities and private donors are leaning into a massive decluttering operation. They are clearing the coastline of dozens of sunken and partially sunken cargo ships, sailboats and other abandoned vessels. (AP Photo/Thanassis Stavrakis)
The Associated Press
A submarine approaches its naval base as a half sunken ship is seen near a shipyard on Salamina island, west of Athens, on Tuesday, Feb. 12, 2020. Greece this year is commemorating one of the greatest naval battles in ancient history at Salamis, where the invading Persian navy suffered a heavy defeat 2,500 years ago. But before the celebrations can start in earnest, authorities and private donors are leaning into a massive decluttering operation. They are clearing the coastline of dozens of sunken and partially sunken cargo ships, sailboats and other abandoned vessels. (AP Photo/Thanassis Stavrakis)
The Associated Press
A diver pulls a shipwreck's rope during a raising operation, on Salamina island, west of Athens, on Wednesday, Feb. 13, 2020. Greece this year is commemorating one of the greatest naval battles in ancient history at Salamis, where the invading Persian navy suffered a heavy defeat 2,500 years ago. But before the celebrations can start in earnest, authorities and private donors are leaning into a massive decluttering operation. They are clearing the coastline of dozens of sunken and partially sunken cargo ships, sailboats and other abandoned vessels. (AP Photo/Thanassis Stavrakis)
The Associated Press
A diver checks an old vessel during a shipwreck raising operation, on Salamina island, west of Athens, on Friday, Nov. 8, 2019. Greece this year is commemorating one of the greatest naval battles in ancient history at Salamis, where the invading Persian navy suffered a heavy defeat 2,500 years ago. But before the celebrations can start in earnest, authorities and private donors are leaning into a massive decluttering operation. They are clearing the coastline of dozens of sunken and partially sunken cargo ships, sailboats and other abandoned vessels. (AP Photo/Thanassis Stavrakis)
The Associated Press
A worker pumps out water from a shipwreck during a raising operation, on Salamina island, west of Athens, on Friday, Nov. 8, 2019. Greece this year is commemorating one of the greatest naval battles in ancient history at Salamis, where the invading Persian navy suffered a heavy defeat 2,500 years ago. But before the celebrations can start in earnest, authorities and private donors are leaning into a massive decluttering operation. They are clearing the coastline of dozens of sunken and partially sunken cargo ships, sailboats and other abandoned vessels. (AP Photo/Thanassis Stavrakis)
The Associated Press
A man fishes as a floating crane prepares to raise a shipwreck, on Salamina island, west of Athens, on Monday, Aug. 26, 2019. Greece this year is commemorating one of the greatest naval battles in ancient history at Salamis, where the invading Persian navy suffered a heavy defeat 2,500 years ago. But before the celebrations can start in earnest, authorities and private donors are leaning into a massive decluttering operation. They are clearing the coastline of dozens of sunken and partially sunken cargo ships, sailboats and other abandoned vessels. (AP Photo/Thanassis Stavrakis)
The Associated Press
A man holds a bucket with fish in Damari, an area with eleven shipwrecks, on Salamina island, west of Athens, on Thursday, Jan. 31, 2020. Greece this year is commemorating one of the greatest naval battles in ancient history at Salamis, where the invading Persian navy suffered a heavy defeat 2,500 years ago. But before the celebrations can start in earnest, authorities and private donors are leaning into a massive decluttering operation. They are clearing the coastline of dozens of sunken and partially sunken cargo ships, sailboats and other abandoned vessels. (AP Photo/Thanassis Stavrakis)
The Associated Press
A diver takes a break on a half sunken ship in Damari, an area with eleven shipwrecks, on Salamina island, west of Athens, on Friday, Nov. 8, 2019. Greece this year is commemorating one of the greatest naval battles in ancient history at Salamis, where the invading Persian navy suffered a heavy defeat 2,500 years ago. But before the celebrations can start in earnest, authorities and private donors are leaning into a massive decluttering operation. They are clearing the coastline of dozens of sunken and partially sunken cargo ships, sailboats and other abandoned vessels. (AP Photo/Thanassis Stavrakis)
The Associated Press
An amateur fisherman with speargun prepares to dive next to a part of shipwreck in Damari, an area with eleven shipwrecks, on Salamina island, west of Athens, on Thursday, Jan. 31, 2020. Greece this year is commemorating one of the greatest naval battles in ancient history at Salamis, where the invading Persian navy suffered a heavy defeat 2,500 years ago. But before the celebrations can start in earnest, authorities and private donors are leaning into a massive decluttering operation. They are clearing the coastline of dozens of sunken and partially sunken cargo ships, sailboats and other abandoned vessels. (AP Photo/Thanassis Stavrakis)
The Associated Press
A worker walks into the sea as a crew tries to pull out from the water an abandoned vessel on Salamina island, west of Athens, on Thursday, Aug. 22, 2019. Greece this year is commemorating one of the greatest naval battles in ancient history at Salamis, where the invading Persian navy suffered a heavy defeat 2,500 years ago. But before the celebrations can start in earnest, authorities and private donors are leaning into a massive decluttering operation. They are clearing the coastline of dozens of sunken and partially sunken cargo ships, sailboats and other abandoned vessels. (AP Photo/Thanassis Stavrakis)
The Associated Press
A wire rope holds a platform with a floating rope during a shipwreck raising operation on Salamina island, west of Athens, on Friday, Nov. 8, 2019. Greece this year is commemorating one of the greatest naval battles in ancient history at Salamis, where the invading Persian navy suffered a heavy defeat 2,500 years ago. But before the celebrations can start in earnest, authorities and private donors are leaning into a massive decluttering operation. They are clearing the coastline of dozens of sunken and partially sunken cargo ships, sailboats and other abandoned vessels. (AP Photo/Thanassis Stavrakis)
The Associated Press
A floating crane holds an old vessel in Damari, an area with eleven shipwrecks, during shipwreck raising operation on Salamina island, west of Athens, on Friday, Nov. 8, 2019. Greece this year is commemorating one of the greatest naval battles in ancient history at Salamis, where the invading Persian navy suffered a heavy defeat 2,500 years ago. But before the celebrations can start in earnest, authorities and private donors are leaning into a massive decluttering operation. They are clearing the coastline of dozens of sunken and partially sunken cargo ships, sailboats and other abandoned vessels. (AP Photo/Thanassis Stavrakis)
The Associated Press
A diver inspects a shipwreck during a raising operation, on Salamina island, west of Athens, on Wednesday, Feb. 13, 2020. Greece this year is commemorating one of the greatest naval battles in ancient history at Salamis, where the invading Persian navy suffered a heavy defeat 2,500 years ago. But before the celebrations can start in earnest, authorities and private donors are leaning into a massive decluttering operation. They are clearing the coastline of dozens of sunken and partially sunken cargo ships, sailboats and other abandoned vessels. (AP Photo/Thanassis Stavrakis)
The Associated Press
A diver takes a break as a delivery boy brings coffee and water to the crew during a shipwreck raising operation, on Salamina island, west of Athens, on Thursday, Jan. 31, 2020. Greece this year is commemorating one of the greatest naval battles in ancient history at Salamis, where the invading Persian navy suffered a heavy defeat 2,500 years ago. But before the celebrations can start in earnest, authorities and private donors are leaning into a massive decluttering operation. They are clearing the coastline of dozens of sunken and partially sunken cargo ships, sailboats and other abandoned vessels. (AP Photo/Thanassis Stavrakis)
The Associated Press
A worker carrying a wire rope, walks into the sea as a crew tries to pull out from the water an abandoned vessel on Salamina island, west of Athens, on Thursday, Aug. 22, 2019. Greece this year is commemorating one of the greatest naval battles in ancient history at Salamis, where the invading Persian navy suffered a heavy defeat 2,500 years ago. But before the celebrations can start in earnest, authorities and private donors are leaning into a massive decluttering operation. They are clearing the coastline of dozens of sunken and partially sunken cargo ships, sailboats and other abandoned vessels. (AP Photo/Thanassis Stavrakis)
The Associated Press
A half sunken boat and an abandoned vessel on a platform are seen on Salamina island, west of Athens, on Thursday, Aug. 22, 2019. Greece this year is commemorating one of the greatest naval battles in ancient history at Salamis, where the invading Persian navy suffered a heavy defeat 2,500 years ago. But before the celebrations can start in earnest, authorities and private donors are leaning into a massive decluttering operation. They are clearing the coastline of dozens of sunken and partially sunken cargo ships, sailboats and other abandoned vessels. (AP Photo/Thanassis Stavrakis)
The Associated Press
A worker takes photographs as heavy machinery destroys an abandoned boat on Salamina island, west of Athens, on Tuesday, Feb. 12, 2020. Greece this year is commemorating one of the greatest naval battles in ancient history at Salamis, where the invading Persian navy suffered a heavy defeat 2,500 years ago. But before the celebrations can start in earnest, authorities and private donors are leaning into a massive decluttering operation. They are clearing the coastline of dozens of sunken and partially sunken cargo ships, sailboats and other abandoned vessels. (AP Photo/Thanassis Stavrakis)
The Associated Press
Workers remove the chimney from an abandoned ship on Salamina island, west of Athens, on Tuesday, Feb. 12, 2020. Greece this year is commemorating one of the greatest naval battles in ancient history at Salamis, where the invading Persian navy suffered a heavy defeat 2,500 years ago. But before the celebrations can start in earnest, authorities and private donors are leaning into a massive decluttering operation. They are clearing the coastline of dozens of sunken and partially sunken cargo ships, sailboats and other abandoned vessels. (AP Photo/Thanassis Stavrakis)
The Associated Press
Heavy machinery destroys an abandoned boat on Salamina island, west of Athens, on Tuesday, Feb. 12, 2020. Greece this year is commemorating one of the greatest naval battles in ancient history at Salamis, where the invading Persian navy suffered a heavy defeat 2,500 years ago. But before the celebrations can start in earnest, authorities and private donors are leaning into a massive decluttering operation. They are clearing the coastline of dozens of sunken and partially sunken cargo ships, sailboats and other abandoned vessels. (AP Photo/Thanassis Stavrakis)
The Associated Press
Workers clean the sea next to a pile of debris from destroyed wooden yachts on Salamina island, west of Athens, on Wednesday, July 1, 2020. Greece this year is commemorating one of the greatest naval battles in ancient history at Salamis, where the invading Persian navy suffered a heavy defeat 2,500 years ago. But before the celebrations can start in earnest, authorities and private donors are leaning into a massive decluttering operation. They are clearing the coastline of dozens of sunken and partially sunken cargo ships, sailboats and other abandoned vessels. (AP Photo/Thanassis Stavrakis)
The Associated Press
A worker is reflected in a mirror of a destroyed wooden yacht on Salamina island, west of Athens, on Wednesday, July 1, 2020. Greece this year is commemorating one of the greatest naval battles in ancient history at Salamis, where the invading Persian navy suffered a heavy defeat 2,500 years ago. But before the celebrations can start in earnest, authorities and private donors are leaning into a massive decluttering operation. They are clearing the coastline of dozens of sunken and partially sunken cargo ships, sailboats and other abandoned vessels. (AP Photo/Thanassis Stavrakis)
The Associated Press
A floating crane holds a shipwreck before the raising operation on Salamina island, west of Athens, on Wednesday, June 29, 2020. Greece this year is commemorating one of the greatest naval battles in ancient history at Salamis, where the invading Persian navy suffered a heavy defeat 2,500 years ago. But before the celebrations can start in earnest, authorities and private donors are leaning into a massive decluttering operation. They are clearing the coastline of dozens of sunken and partially sunken cargo ships, sailboats and other abandoned vessels. (AP Photo/Thanassis Stavrakis)
The Associated Press
Signs on shields, referring to ships which took part in the naval Battle of Salamis from various places of ancient Greece, are seen on Salamina island, west of Athens, on Monday, Aug. 26, 2019. Greece this year is commemorating one of the greatest naval battles in ancient history at Salamis, where the invading Persian navy suffered a heavy defeat 2,500 years ago. But before the celebrations can start in earnest, authorities and private donors are leaning into a massive decluttering operation. They are clearing the coastline of dozens of sunken and partially sunken cargo ships, sailboats and other abandoned vessels. (AP Photo/Thanassis Stavrakis)
The Associated Press
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