Hydra

Hydra, a Greek island, lies 4 miles from the coast of the Peloponnesian department of Argolis and Corinth. It is a narrow rocky ridge, 11 miles long, 1960 feet high, and 20 sq. m. in area. The shores are rocky and steep, and the interior is destitute of vegetation and of water. On the north-west coast is the seaport of Hydra (6446). The 7342 islanders, mostly of Albanian origin, make excellent seamen, and carry on cotton and silk weaving, tanning, shipbuilding, sponge-fishing, and commerce. The island was uninhabited in ancient times. Previous to the war of Greek independence the Hydriotes numbered more than 28,000, and were considered the richest people in the archipelago. They enjoyed a large share of the carrying-trade in the Black Sea and the Mediterranean, and traded to England, the Baltic, and even America. In the war they took a most active and conspicuous part; but on the restoration of peace the island lost much of its former prosperity, being outrivalled by Syra.