The ship that saved Malta! Roberta Metsola pays tribute to SS Ohio during visit to U.S.
The journey of the crippled U.S. tanker to Malta was its last.
During her visit to the United States, European Parliament President Roberta Metsola took a moment to honour the deep historical connection between Malta and the state of Ohio – a name etched into Maltese memory for its pivotal role during World War II.
In a video shared on her social media channels, Roberta Metsola stood in Ohio and paid tribute to the ship SS Ohio, whose mission during Operation Pedestal in 1942 became a symbol of hope and survival for Malta. Known locally as ‘Il-Konvoj ta' Santa Marija’, this operation helped the island from a state close to starvation at one of the darkest moments in its history.
As a video caption, she wrote, ‘In Ohio, paying tribute to what the ship SS Ohio meant for Malta: hope, freedom and resilience.’
In her speech, she recalled the dire conditions in Malta at the time, describing the island as ‘the most bombed place on Earth.’ She reflected on how close the population was to surrender or starvation, until the crippled U.S. tanker SS Ohio, lashed between two Allied destroyers, ‘limped’ into Grand Harbour on 15th August 1942 – the feast of Santa Marija.
‘Its name was SS Ohio, and it meant that we were able to live another day. It saved us as a whole country,’ Roberta Metsola said. ‘The name Ohio was always associated with beating impossible odds. And that is what I believe is the spirit we need to rekindle today.’
SS Ohio’s arrival in Malta was the turning point of Operation Pedestal. Severely damaged from relentless attacks during the convoy’s journey through the Mediterranean, the ship broke in two shortly after delivering its precious cargo of fuel. It never sailed again, but its legacy lives on in Maltese history.
Roberta Metsola’s address to the Midwestern state shows how Malta’s resilience in WWII continues to shape national memory and highlights a little-known but powerful link between the island nation and the U.S. state of Ohio.
Did you know the story behind the SS Ohio?