uring the 18th century, a substantial part of the population of the islands and the northern and central Aegean coast, taking advantage of the changes in the international control of commercial activity in the Mediterranean, became actively involved in sea-trade and very quickly gained valuable experience. Sailors became merchant seamen who took on both financial risk and the hazards attendant on travel. They often acquired a share in the ownership of ships in exchange for the capitals they accumulated from their commercial activities at sea, or their labour.
Towards the end of the century, the trade network of the Greek seamen was well established. Shipowners from Spetses, Hydra, the northern Cyclades and Psara had permanent agents at the biggest ports in the Empire and Europe. They renewed their fleet with bigger sailing-ships equipped with guns and munitions to confront possible dangers on their voyages. Thus, along with the naval experience they also gained war experience, something which would be especially important for the Greek Revolution a few decades later.
