THE DOCKS OF WAR
Being the home to one of the most important fleets in the Mediterranean during volatile times, coupled with a prime strategic location as a shipping hub, it was only a matter of time until Malta got its own ship repair facility.
As soon as the the order established itself in Malta, they set up dockyard facilities within the Grand Harbour to maintain their fleet of galleys. These were spread between the cities of Senglea, Cospicua and Vittoriosa and would become a vital cog in both the Knights and later the British war machines. At the time it was know as Porto Delle Galere, and right away it became a hive of activity with carpenters, caulkers, oar-makers, blacksmiths and a host of other craftsmen all working together in repair and building seacraft for the Order. The knights brought a wealth of knowledge in building warships using advanced French technology. This meant that the local workers in Birgu learned these sophisticated skills, becoming experts themselves and applying this knowledge to make small boats too. Designed to build strong hulls for new galleys, it must have been quite a sight to see these giant wooden skeletons of ships take shape!
The shipyard built all kinds of vessels, including galleons, galleys, demi-galleys, galleots, brigantines and feluccas. It also built tiny craft such as the caiques and frejgatinas. As the Order’s power started to wane, the primary purpose of the shipyard shifted to repair and maintenance. The Shipyard once again rose to prominence under British rule. By 1850 the facilities included storehouses, a ropery, a small steam factory, victualling facilities, houses for the officers of the Yard, and most notably a dry dock – the first to be provided for a Royal Dockyard outside Britain. Begun in 1844, the dry dock was opened in 1847; ten years later it was extended to form a double dock (No. 1 and No. 2 dock).
Erection of the new iron sheers in her majesty’s dockyard at Malta.
HMS Hastings Malta 1840
In the second half of the century, the steam factory with its machine shops and foundries was expanded. Very soon, though, it was clear that more space was required than the crowded wharves of Dockyard Creek afforded to accommodate the increasing size of ships and the increasing size of the fleet based there. The decision was taken to expand into the adjacent French Creek, and between 1861 and 1909 a further five dry docks—three single plus one double dock—were constructed there, along with an assortment of specialized buildings to serve the mechanized Navy.
