Malta Maritime Museum, collection

The Malta Maritime Museum Collection

Presently, the museum covers over 2,000 sq. m., some 30 per cent of the total floor area available. An ongoing building rehabilitation and restoration programme is linked with the opening of the new hall or sections devoted to specific maritime themes or chronological periods. After the museum’s inauguration in 1992 by means of a hall of 600 sq. m, another 800 sp. M. hall was inaugurated in November 2000 dedicated entirely to the Royal Navy in Malta. The former hall was then dedicated to the Order of St. John period. In October 2003, another section was opened spread over two levels of 250 sq. m. each dedicated to marine engineering. Five smaller halls and sections are devoted to ancient shipping, navigation, the merchant navy, Maltese traditional boats, and Maltese customs and water police. These are just token displays of the museum’s collection on the subjects, which will eventually move to larger halls when rehabilitation and restoration works are completed. Other halls would be dedicated to port facilities, maritime-related sports, and the Armed Forces of the Malta Maritime Squadron.

The Cathedral Triple Expansion Engine

The Triple expansion engine found in the Anadrian Hall is a unique example of steam engine, which was used here in Malta aboard the steam dredger Anadrian. The uniqueness of such an engine is in the principle of its construction. Such engines used three expansion stages and are known as triple expansion engines. These engines use a series of double-acting cylinders of progressively increasing diameter and/or stroke and hence volume. These cylinders are designed to divide the work into three, equal portions for each expansion stage.

Roman Anchors

The largest collection of roman anchors is found here at Malta Maritime Museum. Roman anchors retrieved from all around Maltese waters. These artefacts are a testament to the high activity Malta was part of during the ancient world.

The Vaxxel Model

The 300 year old model is a centre piece in the Order of St. John Hall at MMM. The is one of the 8 original models in the Malta Maritime Museum collection. It is a unique working model which reminds us of the great craftsmanship of a bygone era.

The Lepanto Ex-voto

In 1571 the cross and the crescent clashed off the coast of Greece at Lepanto. The Maltese galleys were involved in the brunt of the fighting. This ex-voto painting depicts the two fleet. An angel protects the Christian fleet, while devils surround the Muslim enemy.

St. Barbara Cannon

The roll of thunder reminded our forefathers of St Barbara, the patron of the gunners of the Order. Here relief is found on this bronze piece. The cannon is around 400 years old and forms part of the collection of 7 bronze cannon at Malta Maritime Museum which were used aboard the feared Maltese galleys.

The Dagħjsa tal-Latini Model

A model of the Gozo boat, is part of a collection of traditional Maltese boat models found in the Malta Maritime Museum collection. The Dagħjsa tal-Latini was a ferry boat, which plied Maltese water, it was evolved from the 18th century speronara and was used in Malta up to the 1950s.

French Sabre

An original French sabre carried by the French republican soldiers is a reminder of the turbulent times of 1798 -1800. This section at the museum has the largest collection in any museum about the two year occupation. A two year maritime siege by the British Navy and the Maltese people. (opening end 2009)

The Hibernia figurehead

The figure head of a Napoleonic ship of the line, was aboard the 110 gun HMS Hibernia. The Hibernia was a first rate, and a formidable enemy, saw service throughout the Mediterranean and beyond. The Hibernia survived till the turn of the twentieth century floating in the Grand Harbour, serving various purpose, among which was the flagship of the Mediterranean. It was finally broken down, but her figurehead survived at Fort St. Angelo, then taken to Portsmouth. It was returned to Malta in 1994.

Eastney Canteen

Raise your sherry, and drink to a toast to the queen of England, listen to Nat King Cole over the Redifusion, and enjoy your trip back to a bar in the 50s. The Eastney Canteen is a reconstructed bar, where nostalgia of a bygone era is the order of the day. A day when British servicemen enjoyed drink and the local talent at the various bars in Valletta and the three cities.

The Admirality Mace

A unique silver admirality mace is on display at the museum. This mace was used at the Admiralty court in Malta. The top part of the oar was cast in 1803. While the staff has a Rohan period Maltese mark.