One of the most iconic places in Isla is the bastion part known as Maċina, where the Knights of St John installed a mast crane called sheer legs to load masts on ships.

After the arrival of the British, the Admiral continued to use this wooden mast crane until 1864, when it was replaced with one made of sturdy metal.

On 26 February 1927, this mast crane was decommissioned after 300 years of service.