Themes

Article Highlights

• Introduction - The Royal Navy at Malta

• The Importance of Malta

• The Effect of the Wars on the Island

• Naval Pageantry and Ceremony

• Entertainment and Free Time

The Importance of Malta

The British captured Malta from French occupation in 1800. Throughout the 19th century Malta served as an important base for the Royal Navy. The island’s location between Gibraltar and the Suez Canal meant that Malta was an important stop off on the way to India.

The island served as the principal base for the Mediterranean Fleet and between the 1860s and early 1900s the Admiralty did much to improve the harbours and dockyard facilities. Between 1903 and 1906 constructors built a new breakwater for Grand Harbour, providing the fleet with protection from the north east winds and enemy torpedo fire.

Aerial photograph of HM Ships at Malta featuring views of Sliema Creek, Manoel Island, Msida and Peta Creeks. (RNM)

Malta’s excellent harbours meant that the Royal Navy could safely moor the whole Mediterranean Fleet. The island boasted deep water berths in Grand Harbour, able to hold battleships, cruisers, and later, aircraft carriers. In Marsamxett Harbour 24 destroyers could be packed into Sliema Creek – a capacity for 3 flotillas.

Manoel Island, in Marsamxett Harbour served as the base for submarines. On land, the airfields of Kalafrana, Hal Far and Ta Kali served the Fleet Air Arm and the Royal Air Force throughout the century.