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(&* (( (&2 (* (&+ (2 $% $& (&) $( (% $, (( & ($ $& English red merchant flag known as the red duster. In a couple of instances vessels are flying the white ensign which was the flag of the Royal Navy. This indicates that they somehow were attached to the British Navy. Maltese vessels are often referred to as English. As the ex-voto tabelle were the fulfilment of a promise made it is of interest to know who made the offerings. In 11 instances it was offered by the captain and crew of the vessel whereas in 5 by the crew on their own. It could be that the captain made a separate vow. In 3 instances the vow was made by a passenger on board. In certain cases a crew made a vow and promised an ex-voto to two different sanctuaries as seems to be the case with sheet 7 and sheet 15 where an almost identical painting of the Brig Marietta is in two different locations describing the same events. Most of the ex-voti seem to be made by Maltese mariners on board Maltese vessels as indicated by the flags they fly, while the captain of a Raugsan vessel that ran into trouble 60 miles off capo Passero saw fit to deposit his tabella at the Mellieha sanctuary.
Conclusion In conclusion one notes that the frequent life threatening situations which the Maltese seafarer encountered when at sea gave rise to this vernacular artistic expression which was formulised and categorised within a framework of convention. The person prayed for safety and found it necessary to demonstrate gratitude publicly. Ultimately the ex-voto tabella was a public demonstration of thanks giving. In turn a particular chapel or sanctuary was enriched and increased in wealth and miraculous power the more ex-voti were donated as more miracles were granted. The examples considered in this report not only demonstrate this but often strive to anchor the events in a known landscape or rather seascape. Attempts at drawing maps are made by the madonnari, easily recognizable landmarks, such as volcanoes, are drawn and topographical names of islands, ports, towns, capes and coasts are often given. It is possible that other certain landmarks which are difficult to identify and puzzling to the researcher nowadays, would have been instantly recognizable then. In our case the incidents occurred to shipping operating around Sicily, or to and from one of the islands within Sicily’s sphere of influence. The variety of vessels, from the galleys of the Order to the small speronaras, to brigs, brigantines, and bombardas are often seen to run into storms around Pantelleria, Lampedusa, Linosa, Stromboli, Favignina, or Capo Passero. As if nature was not a great enough peril Calabrian bandits are also seen attacking shipping in the area right into the nineteenth century. Thus a religious offering of thanksgiving that results from narrowly escaped tragedy serves to further strengthen and demonstrate the link that has always existed between Sicily and Malta two islands of the middle sea.
Acknowledgments My deepest thanks go to Professor A. Bonanno, Dr Nicholas C. Vella, Joseph Muscat, Lykke Lyngsø, Martin Attard and Chris Gemmell for their valuable help in different ways. Glossary
Aft Back end of a vessel. Balanza * A vessel common around Italian coasts and used mostly as a fishing boat. It was usually fitted with lateen sails, while a huge jib sail was a characteristic of this type of vessel. Bombarda A merchant vessel with the sail arrangement of a warship. Bowsprit A pole extending out from a vessel's prow, used to attach forestay(s). Fore Front end of a vessel, also the prow or bow. Fore and aft sail A sail whose normal position runs along the length of the vessel. Fore mast The mast nearest to the fore part of a boat. Gaff A pole attached to the top of the square gaff sail and attached to the mast. Galley The main vessel of the Order, it made use of large lateen sails and oars as a means of propulsion. Jib A small triangular sail attached to the fore stay. Lateen sail A large triangular sail whose top end is suspended from a pole called an antenna. The main type of sail on the Order's galleys. Main mast The mast in the middle or waist of a vessel, usually it is the tallest mast. Mast A pole that holds sails. All the ropes and sails connected to a particular mast will have the mast's name as part of their name, thus a stay attached to a fore mast will be a fore stay while a stay attached to a main mast will be called a main stay, and so on. Mizzen mast The mast nearest to the aft part of a vessel. Oculo A decoration in the shape of an eye found on the bow of a boat, intended as protection against the evil eye. Rigging All the masts, sails and ropes that together propel a sailing ship. Spanker A gaff rigged fore and aft sail hoisted on the mizzen mast. Speronara A small open boat that was very popular with the Maltese padroni. It takes its name from the beak like spur, or sperone, jutting out at the bows. Sprit sail A rectangular fore and aft sail held open by a sloping pole called a sprit that is attached to the mast and to the upper outer corner of the sail. Stay A rope that holds the mast from the front and back. Waist Middle part of a vessel.
* For a good identification of the different vessel types in use, one should refer to Joseph Muscat's line drawings either in Prins 1989 or in Muscat 2003. project kasa koine · archeotogica saR_iente antichita·
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