When you have a rock like Malta in the middle of a sea like the Mediterranean, where north-easterly and north-westerly winds are known to wreak havoc, a shipwreck is likely to occur from time to time. Three of these have found fame in the Maltese Islands.
St Paul's Shipwreck in 60AD
The fame of St Paul’s shipwreck has survived 2000 years and it is likely to continue for 2000 more. This is because the Maltese attribute their predominantly Catholic faith to this shipwreck. It was 60AD when the Apostle Paul was being taken to Rome to be tried as a political rebel and his ship ran aground during a violent storm.
All 275 people aboard swam safely to shore and found solace among the Maltese people, who welcomed them profusely. The Maltese converted to Christianity during the three months Paul spent in Malta. Publius, the Roman leader in Malta at the time, converted and became the first Bishop of Malta after Paul healed his father. The whole incident was described by St Luke in the Acts of the Apostles (XXVIII).
The Qawra Shipwreck of 10 Feb 2018
Like a miracle, not far from St Paul’s island, where, according to the bible, St Paul and St Luke were shipwrecked almost 2000 years before, another ship ran aground. The Togo-registered vessel, the 885-tonne Hephaestus, ran aground in Qawra during a thunderstorm, when it was approaching Malta during northerly Force 6 winds.
The seven seamen were spared their lives but were left with nothing but the clothes they were wearing. True to the account of St Paul’s shipwreck, the Maltese offered food, clothing and blankets, and the sailors were hosted at the Seafarer’s Centre, which opened in 2016. The shipwreck remained on location for a full six months before it was removed, becoming something of an Instagram icon for anyone visiting Qawra point.
A Phoenician shipwreck from 700BC
Finally, we come to a shipwreck which is even more awesome. The Phonenician shipwreck was discovered at a depth of 110m off the coast of Xlendi, Gozo, in 2007. It is estimated to have been shipwrecked around 700BC! The Phoenicians were renowned as skillful maritime traders who had created an extensive commercial network stretching from Britain to Greece. This intriguing ancient vessel attracted worldwide attention for being the oldest known wreck in this region, with recovered artefacts that were previously unknown in the archaeological record.
An exhibition was set up in Brussels during Malta’s European Presidency and the same material is exhibited in Gozo for a whole year; in fact, it is your last chance to see it. Discover one of the most exciting underwater archaeological discoveries in the Central Mediterranean. This free exhibition is being held until 31 August 2019 at Heritage Malta’s Gozo Area Office in the Citadel, Victoria, from Monday to Friday 8am-4pm.