Menu

Search
Close this search box.

THE ADMIRALTY DOCKYARD – THE INDUSTRIAL AGE

During the Industrial Revolution, the Royal Navy invested in Malta, building an Admiralty Dockyard and an industry geared around supporting their Mediterranean Fleet, which ruled the waves around the globe. The introduction of steel and machinery led to the collapse of the shipyards owned by Maltese entrepreneurs, but ushered in a new period of more contemporary shipbuilding. This needed a substantial Maltese workforce and altered the demographics of the Three Cities. The British proposal to transform the area to accommodate drydocks, workshops, a foundry, the bakery, and other amenities shows up in the 19th-century topographical proposal model of the Three Cities.

This industry gave Maltese youths the chance to become apprentices, learn a trade and build a career as dockyard workers. To illustrate this, examples of apprentice projects, toolboxes and personal tools that were made during the apprenticeship are exhibited. The Dockyard developed into a significant industry that provided an income for thousands of locals and their families for decades.

ArtEfacts

Size

29.7 × 63.4 (closed) × 33.3 cm

Date

1920-1970

Location

Malta Maritime Museum, Third Floor

Creator

Joseph Esposito

Reference Code

MMM 004609.3

Mid-20th century rectangular toolbox, painted black, featuring a lid on hinges, a lock, and metallic handles on the side. The lid features various religious paraphernalia attached on the inner side, such as a ‘Verbum Dei’ prayer and other religious images. The box contains removable compartments in wood, each containing a number of tools of various sizes. There are 57 tools within this toolbox.

Size

27cm x 129cm x 199cm

Date

1865

Location

Malta Maritime Museum, Third Floor

Reference Code

MMM 000449

This model, presented by the National Maritime Museum of Greenwich in 1993, shows the French and Dockyard Creeks as formerly designed by Lieut. Colonel A. Clarke, R.E. Director of Works to the Admiralty in 1865. During this time, the Admiralty felt the need to expand its dockyard facilities in Malta. Since there was no available space in the Dockyard Creek, it was agreed that Senglea waterfront at the French Creek will be taken over.

THE FUTURE?

Still at the crossroads, as the European Union’s southernmost frontier in the Central Mediterranean, Malta

TOURISM AND LEISURE

In medieval times, travelling was either limited to the wealthy classes, or done for religious

WE’RE GONNA NEED A BIGGER BOAT! – FISHING IN MALTA

Coastal resources have been used by mankind globally as means of economic and social development

1979: THE END OF AN ERA

The year 1979 is an important milestone in Maltese history when Britain’s military connection to

THE SECOND WORLD WAR

During the Second World War, Malta played a vital role in the Battle for the

GOLDEN AGE OF SAIL – SHIPBUILDING IN MALTA

The 19th century was the pinnacle of Maltese shipbuilding, building vessels to import material such

PATRIA LIBERATA – THE FRENCH BLOCKADE

With war in Europe spreading like wildfire, France became embroiled in a war across the

FOREIGN > LOVE AFFAIRS

By the summer of 1798, Britain and France were locked in an epic struggle which

LIBERTÉ, ÉGALITÉ, FRATERNITÉ – THE FRENCH IN MALTA

Malta in 1798 went into shock. The once overlords of the island principality were overrun

PRINCIPALITY BY CORSAIRS FOR CORSAIRS

Prior to the arrival of the Order of St John in 1530, many Maltese noblemen

LEPANTO: A FINAL CLASH?

The Holy League of 1571 was not the first to band Christian forces against the

POMP, WAR AND CEREMONY

The rambata, a distinctive feature of Mediterranean galleys between the 16th and 18th centuries, represented

1565 – THE GREAT SIEGE

An island at a crossroads will eventually become involved in major conflict, and in the

SUSTAINABILITY, RECYCLING AND THE ECONOMY

The limited locally available resources of the Maltese Islands, and their huge dependency on Sicily,

ST PAUL: FATHER OF THE MALTESE NATION?

When a Moorish army broke the siege of Mdina for winter in September 1429, the

Navigation

The Mediterranean expanse, which in antiquity was defined as “The Great Sea”, has for centuries