BY ANTONIS HALKEAS

Sunk at a depth of 45 meters in the southern part of the island of Salamis and specifically in the beautiful bay of "DEH Chalioti" lies the 114-meter-long cargo steamship. According to the first records mentioned in the book "Shipwrecks in the Greek Seas" by Vice Admiral Christos Dounis, honorary commander of the Coast Guard, this is a ship with a capacity of 4,513 register tons and a load capacity of 6,850 tons, built in 1919 at the shipyards of William Gray and Co in West Hartlepool. The ship belonged to multiple shareholders and had been purchased in 1929 for the sum of 29,000 pounds sterling. The vessel, loaded with 5,380 tons of barley as well as supplies from the International Red Cross of Argentina, coming from Buenos Aires, had sailed to Piraeus on 21 April 1941, with captain Spyros Kallimanis. After arrival, it was operating outside the port, awaiting the order to enter, when in the afternoon hours it was subjected to multiple raids by German planes, resulting in its sinking.

The crew of "Agios Markos" consisted of 33 people and the sailor Thomas Ferentinos, aged 28, from Ithaki was mortally wounded in the bombings.

The wreck is suitable for experienced divers as it is located at a depth of 45 meters, with its upper part at 25 meters. The fishing gear entangled in the ship's hull, such as nets and longlines, requires that its exploration be carried out with the appropriate caution. Ideal diving conditions are ensured on days with a northerly wind, allowing for exploration in conditions of good visibility.