Mediterranean collaboration : a Maltese ship aided by the Brindisi Capitaneria di Porto

Abstract

The port of Brindisi is situated on the Adriatic coast. Its port is a hub of vibrant activity, in particular with vessels coming from the Eastern parts of the Mediterranean, such as Albania, Greece, Turkey and former Yugoslavia.

Over 50 years ago, a Maltese vessel, named MariaBella, was once involved in an accident and aided by the Capitaneria di Porto of Brindisi. The documentation is to be found at the Brindisi Archivio di Stato, Classificazione VIII-1, Busta 14, fascicolo 89. The original telegram from Otranto to the Brindisi Capitaneria di Porto, with the Maltese vessel’s request for help, proves that the nationality of the Mariabella was originally unknown (“Nazionalità non identificata”), and a bit later even considered to be German.