Syrna (island)

Syrna (Greek: Σύρνα; anciently, Syrnos (Ancient Greek: Σύρνος)[1] or Sirna or Agios Ioannis, is a small island about 4 km2 in area to the south-east of Astypalaia in the Dodecanese group of Greek islands, situated to the south-east of the country. It is mostly covered with juniper and garrigue scrub. The few inhabitants raise stock, catch fish and practice arable agriculture. The island is important for migrant and breeding seabirds and raptors, including Cory's shearwater, yelkouan shearwater and Eleonora's falcon.[2]

Syrna

Σύρνα
Syrna
Coordinates: 36°20.33′N 26°40.38′E
CountryGreece
Time zoneUTC+2 (EET)
 • Summer (DST)UTC+3 (EEST)
Postal code
855 xx
Area code(s)22470
Vehicle registrationΚΧ, ΡΟ, ΡΚ

History

A shipwreck of the late Roman period (2nd century CE) was found using sonar technology near the island by the Hellenic Centre for Marine Research in 2000.[3]

On 7 December 1946, the ship Athina Rafiah carrying Jewish immigrants to Israel was wrecked in the Agiou Soassin Bay, on the south coast of Syrna, and more than seven hundred survivors came ashore on the island. The British minesweeper HMS Providence, working with HMS Chevron, HHMS Themistocles and HHMS Aegean managed to rescue the survivors.[4]

References
  1. Richard Talbert, ed. (2000). Barrington Atlas of the Greek and Roman World. Princeton University Press. p. 61, and directory notes accompanying.
  2. "GR165 Sirna island and nearby islets" Hellenic Ornithological Society. Retrieved 20 Jan 2009
  3. "Cooperation of the Hellenic Centre of Marine Research (HCMR) – with the Department of Underwater Antiquities (EEA)" Hellenic Centre of Marine Research. Retrieved 20 Jan 2009 Archived 11 November 2007 at the Wayback Machine
  4. "HMS Providence, 2nd Minesweeping Flotilla" Archived 2 November 2009 at the Wayback Machine www.britains-smallwars.com. Retrieved 20 Jan 2009
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