NEW GALLERY AT THE MARITIME MUSEUM DOUBLES EXISTING EXHIBITION SPACE

The Minister of Education Dr. Louis Galea, on Saturday inaugurated a new permanent exhibition gallery at the Maritime Museum in Birgu. The new gallery will increase the current open space to visitors by more than double.

The exhibition tells the story of the Royal Navy in Malta from 1798 to 1979. The Exhibition follows a chronological order within which thematic displays have been arranged. Part of the exhibition concentrates on the shore establishments in Malta and the economic social and political effects the military base had on the country. Another section of the exhibition illustrates the development of Naval Medical Services and the Malta Drydocks and Port Facilities. The exhibition also covers the surrounding social life including entertainment and sports. A very interesting section is that which displays the equipment used during that period by standard divers.

The period covered by the exhibition was one in which a technological revolution was taking place. During these 300 years, Naval warfare changed completely from sail and wood to steam and metal. A relic of this revolution is certainly the 3-ton, wooden figurehead of the 'HMS Hibernia'. One can also find a section on submarines as well as uniforms used during the same period by officials of the Navy.

The First and Second World Wars are extensively covered as is the post-war period. The Exhibition ends with the withdrawal of the British base in Malta and includes original letters exchanged between the late President Dr. Anton Buttigieg and the last Commander of the British Forces in Malta Rear Admiral O.N.A. Cecil.

Minister's address follows…

Address by Dr Louis Galea, Minister of Education at the inauguration of the new permanent exhibition gallery dedicated to the Royal Navy at the Maritime Museum, Saturday, 18 November 2000

In 1988 Dr. Ugo Mifsud Bonnici conceived the idea of converting the former Royal Naval Bakery into Malta's own Maritime Museum. Starting from nothing and a derelict building the Museum was slowly construed and in 1992 it was officially opened to the public. Today we are here to mark a further development in this Museum, which hopefully will be conducive towards a better understanding of our country's Maritime vocation, cultural heritage and history.

When in 1798 the Maltese asked the British for assistance, in their fight against the French, an era in the Nation's history was inaugurated culminating with Malta's attainment of Independence in 1964. However, there followed a sequel for the British military presence in Malta continued until 1979 when the base finally closed down. For almost two hundred years Malta and Britain shared a common course of history which, all considered, left many positive effects not the least an element of sympathy between the two people.

Of the three services the Royal Navy was to leave an indelible imprint on the hearts of the Maltese. This was especially true of the people of Cottonera where the naval dockyard and victualling yard were located. To the Navy, Malta offered more than just fine natural harbours and a warm climate. Here British sailors found a hospitable environment where they could relax and freely intermingle with the local populace. The Maltese, on the other hand, found jobs, either directly employed by the Admiralty as civilians or service personnel, or indirectly through the many economic and social activities generated by the presence of the then mighty British Mediterranean Fleet. There came about a sort of natural symbiosis whereby the Royal Navy and Malta almost became synonymous.

The permanent gallery we are inaugurating attempts to tell the story of this symbiosis. A story that lasted almost two hundred years and which brings us up to our recent history: so recent that it is still fresh in our memories. For this reason efforts have been made to imbue the dryness of historical facts with human feelings and a dose of nostalgia. The exhibition follows a thematic sequence touching on several facets illustrating the Royal Navy's cultural, social and economic relevance within a Maltese perspective. At the same time the story unfolds through a loosely chronological cadence that recounts the great technological revolution which effected the nature, government and configuration of warships.

This exhibition is not about war but of the effects a powerful war machine has on the life of people trying to earn an honest living. It tells the story of how the Maltese and British people came to know and respect each other notwithstanding cultural diversities, mentality and the vicissitudes of politics and history.

Much effort and hard work has gone in the production of this initiative. The Blockade Exhibition held here in 1998, in collaboration with the British High Commission in Malta, served to set the infrastructure. As a matter of fact part of the d'�cor of the memorable exhibition has been retained and adapted to serve the new purpose. I must emphasize the fact that all the physical work in the preparation of exhibits and the setting up of this new gallery has been carried out in-house by the staff of the Museums Department under the expert guidance of curator Antonio Espinoza, to whom we must express our admiration and gratitude.

A special word of thanks must go to:

The British High Commissioner for assisting in organising this evening's event.

The Friends of the Maritime Museum Association

Mr. Colin White, Deputy Director of the Royal Naval Museum, Portsmouth.

The Malta Drydocks

E.L.A. Limited of Kalkara

Castrol, C.G.L. Oil Blenders Ltd.,

Finally a big thank you must also go to all those other institutions and public spirited individuals, too many to enumerate, who through donations and other means have made possible the creation of this permanent gallery dedicated to the Royal Navy and Malta which I now declare open.