Pylaros was one of the most famous (and loved?) passenger ships of our Greek passenger lines 100 years ago. There are so many stories about her... The early newspapers have all kinds of stories of competition and achievement but don't forget that some of these stories were exaggerated by her agents and belonged to the well known statement Se non e vero e ben trovato.
Briefly, she was built in 1863 in Copenhagen and was named Hermod. She had just 312 gross tons, i.e, she was smaller than my generation's Moschanthi or Pindos... Transferred to Romania as Carmen Sylva she was forgotten until 1899, when -after 26 years of service- she was bought by Nik. Athanassoulis and transferred to Greece. She was named Pylaros and the rest is history. Please read a nice article by A. Tzamtzis in Kathimerini of August 24, 2003 in http://www.kathimerini.gr/4dcgi/_w_a...8/2003_1285305
I do not like to copy.
But it is interesting to read her schedule from my grandfather's 1908 edition of the wonderful German travel guide Baedeker...
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Pylaros of N. M. Athanasoulis
From Piraeus via the Canal of Corinth every Monday and Friday at 10:00 am via Itea, Galaxidi to Patras (Monday and Friday 10:00 pm), then Tuesday via Ithaca, Cefallonia (Sami, Aghia Eufimia, Fiskardo) through the Leukas canal to Leukas, (or) Saturday via Kyllene, Zante, Lixouri to Argostoli (Saturday noon; back Saturday 3:00 pm, in Piraeus Sunday at 1:00 pm)
Prices: from Piraeus to Patras, Zante or Argostoli I Class 15 Dr, II class 10 Dr; to Ithaca, Sami or Leukas I Class 20 Dr, II class 15 Dr; to Itea I Class 15 Dr, II class 10 Dr, allez-retour I Class 25 Dr, II class 18 Dr
BTW, who said there was no travel and tourism 100 years ago?
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