One last shot from our guided tour of the Malta Maritime Museum.
This is the figurehead (in Maltese ‘Pulena’) of HMS Hibernia. I asked my brother to pose for me near it to show its size.
HMS Hibernia was a 110-gun first rate ship of the line of the Royal Navy. She was launched on 17 November 1804.
Hibernia was flagship of the British Mediterranean Fleet from 1816 until 1855, when she became the flagship for the Royal Navy's base at Malta and stationed in Grand Harbour. She remained in this role until she was sold in 1902 and was broken up. Her timber ended up being used to fire bakeries in Malta, unfortunately leading to an outbreak of lead poisoning on the island.
Her figurehead, however, was preserved and kept at St Angelo, the Headquarters of the British Navy in the Mediterranean, until Malta became a republic in 1974. I remember clearly when I was a little boy, more than 60 years ago, my father (rip) took us children to St Angelo – probably it was open to the public on that day – to see this historic fort and I saw this figurehead there. Our guide said that when the British left Malta the figurehead was taken with them to the UK. After pressure from the Maltese authorities it was returned to Malta and now is a pride exhibit in Malta’s Maritime Museum.
Many thanks for all your views, comments and favs. Always much appreciated.
Superb capture of this powerful looking figure head , and this is emphasised in its enormous size in comparison to your brother ! Such a majestic figurehead to have and to hold in your Museum
That's amazing that lead poisoning occurred after using the timber in the fires. I would never have thought of that. I do love figureheads, so majestic and always much bigger than you think they will be. Lovely to have your brother next to him for size.
Wonderful photo, having your brother stand next to the figurehead certainly brings home just how large it is. I have very much enjoyed touring the museum via your photo's and love your informative narrative.
Great photo and use of your brother to show the impressive scale. I liked reading the history of this, too, and it must have been amazing to get to see this again after the childhood memory that you described.
Great capture of this nice figurhead.
The shipbuilding of Great Brittain costed Scotland his trees.
Sorry I can`t show you my models. Ivan have seen them.
Terrific capture of this very impressive figurehead! I have enjoyed the shots of your guided tour of the Malta Maritime Museum and most definitely all the historical information you have provided. :-)
The shipbuilding of Great Brittain costed Scotland his trees.
Sorry I can`t show you my models. Ivan have seen them.