Hi Everyone,

 

The Corinthian canal in the Gulf of Corinth is a link for yachts and shipping between the Ionian and Aegean seas, from Corinth to Isthmus.  For ourselves it saves a long journey south around the Peloponnese.

It is 3.2 miles long, 25m wide and the maximum draft permitted to go through is 6.5m--- no prob with our 2.3 metres.

The cut limestone sides of the canal rise to 79m, so it should be interesting to see our mast rising up into the air between them.

 

Historically, the first recorded idea to cut a canal through the Isthmus was by Periander of Corinth in 7th Century BC--- incredible. It was not made possible at that time and so the famous paved slipway ‘diolkos’ was built allowing the ancients to drag their ships on rollers across the land. This continued until the 13th century !!!—amazing.

 

In AD 67  the Emperor Nero began the first real attempt to cut the canal with 6,000 Jewish prisoners, it was abandoned due to Gaul invasion before they hit rock.

Finally a French company started the project which was finished by the Greeks in 1893.

It was developed further after WW2 and three bridges, a railway bridge and two road bridges were added. The road bridges sink to allow yachts to pass--- that should be interesting.

............................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................  

 

Well, since writing the above introduction we actually went through the canal today. We left Galaxidhi this morning and had planned the canal for tomorrow with an overnight in Corinth harbour beforehand. However, the wind got up to 25-29 knots apparent ( against us ) and when we arrived at Corinth it was a tiny area and with strong cross winds we were unable to get in. So without a good safe anchorage we decided to take a look at going through the canal. We had a South easterly wind and the canal lies south easterly so we were a bit concerned about the wind funnelling through it and accelerating.

 

We called on the radio and got permission to go through. The wind kindly decreased to 8 knots as we approached the entrance and reduced right down once we were into it.

Consequently we were the only ‘fools’ going through and we had the whole distance from start to end to ourselves!!! -- with a fast current, but little wind--- magic---we couldn’t believe our luck.

 

At either end the traffic bridges lower into the water and today for Tioram on her own !!

 

Well we have to say the 25m width feels a lot less as much of the limestone sides have eroded and slipped into the canal, plus large slabs of concrete and rocks in shallows on either side.  The canal is looking quite sad and in need of some serious reconstruction. It is in fact closed on Tuesdays for dredging and for repairs to the limestone vertical rock face.

 

With a fast head current ripping we needed to keep Tioram’s nose planted firmly into it to keep straight down the middle. Despite this, the excitement of having the complete canal to ourselves around 17.00 hrs was fab. It is a really great thing to do on a yacht, no doubt quite a sight from the overhead bridges from which Tioram had her picture taken by on-lookers.

 

Thankfully we didn't get any bungee jumpers off the bridges stretching down towards us----as one of the guide books mentioned--- can you imagine—nuts.

 

We gave a thought to the past centuries and the many boats dragged across the land mass (Isthmus)--- an area you think of in your mind as flat--- but no its quite a hill.

 

We thoroughly enjoyed the 3.2 miles and as we cleared the east end, sunken bridge, a large group of around 40 primary school children--- probably on a special visit--- all cheered and waved to us.

So we paid the large fee to the canal authorities--------- and Tioram glided out of the canal and into the Aegean-----another sea--- another milestone.

 

The photos speak for themselves----enjoy.

 

Love

 

Tina and Tony  x x x