The Knights of Malta and their contribution to naval technology

Abstract

The remarkable upsurge in the development of Mediterranean shipbuilding that occurred in the fourteenth and fifteenth centuries continued uninterrupted into the sixteenth century. From then on marine craft in Malta is largely connected with the Knights of St. John who had a splendid naval history dating back to the latter half of the twelfth century with their first dromon. The Order's navy was already well- equipped when they arrived in Malta. They entered Maltese history at a time when piracy was rife. From 1530 to 1798 the navy was the main concern of the Order in all its wars and naval enterprises from the Straits of Gibraltar to the Dardanelles. [excerpt]