The maritime cartography of the Sicily-Malta Channel

Abstract

This report presents the results of a research project aimed at searching for and documenting nautical charts and other maritime related maps covering the Sicily-Malta channel.116 Searches were made in collections held in a number of Maltese repositories, both public and private. Public repositories included the National Library of Malta, the National Archives and the Malta Maritime Museum in Vittoriosa. Furthermore, various online archives, including that of the National Maritime Museum in Greenwich, UK were also explored. All relevant maps were photographed, catalogued and presented on data cards in both hard and soft copies. It is envisaged that a number of benefits will stem from the results of this project. These include: 1. A greater awareness among researchers in both Sicily and Malta of the various maps held in the different repositories; and 2. A better understanding of the maritime cartography of the Sicily-Malta Channel through time.