Want more room? - take to the sea

Not particularly acclaimed for their seamanship - they have no navy for one - or as fish eaters of note, though surrounded by the Mediterranean, the Maltese make up for that by their interest in the sea.

The number of boats at the marinas, including those at Pietà and Manoel Island, is evidence of that. And interest in sailing is growing - perhaps because there are not in their sea the limitations of space on land.

Charles Vella, commodore of the Vikings Sailing Club, said yesterday that there has been a surge in boating, especially sailing, over the past 10 years.

"This revival may be due to a number of factors but primarily, I think, because more people are searching for quiet moments at weekends after a week of hard work.

"The roads have become congested with traffic and beaches in summer are packed full with swimmers, leading people to buy boats to steer away from the crowds," Mr Vella said.

Yesterday, the Vikings Sailing Club held the first jumble sale of boating equipment at the club premises in Haywharf, Floriana. The wet and windy weather was not inviting but the sale drew sailing enthusiasts in droves. That, if anything, shows the wide interest in the sea.

Available for sale for those who took the opportunity were items displayed by club members, including radio equipment, life jackets, binoculars and other odds and ends that would interest sailors.

One of the 'sellers', Martin Sims, had on display a number of wooden switches and bronze bolts among other items that he has had an oversupply of after he revamped his 68-year old sailing boat Laranda, which he berths at Kalkara.

Another 'seller', Melody Morgan-Busher owns the yacht Amazon, a former 1885 steamer.

Asked how such boats have survived, Mr Sims said that sea-water preserves wood.

Even in water sports there are no notable achievements by Maltese - no gold medal has come Malta's way from any major events, for instance.

But there are Maltese seamen who have made a name for themselves in international yacht racing. The Ripard family name springs to mind there.

And topping the list, perhaps not so well known in his home country, is Juan Azopardo.

Argentinians consider Senglea-born Azopardo - his birthday was on February 19, 1772 - as the first warrior of the Argentine Navy.

A sailor of fortune, he joined the French Navy in Guadeloupe and Martinique. At the turn of the 18th century, he visited Buenos Aires and was commissioned to fight English ships in South American waters.

After the battle of Trafalgar, British forces disembarked near Buenos Aires and Azopardo distinguished himself in their expulsion.

Azopardo as a captain commanded a coastal defence battery in Buenos Aires. He became Lieutenant Colonel in the Militia of Buenos Aires and his finest hour come after the Revolution of May 25, 1810, when he was appointed to recruit sailors and fit out the first ships for the incipient Argentine navy.

On August 15 that year, he was appointed commander of the first Argentinian naval squadron. His career saw the end of the Spanish rule in South America, and that was followed by a trade treaty with Great Britain in 1825 and peace with Brazil three years later.

He retired in Buenos Aires with his wife Maria Sandalia Perez Rico and their son Luis Alberto.

Azopardo died on October 23, 1848. On the first centenary of his death an impressive monument in his memory was erected at San Nicolas, not far from Azopardo's first action. The waterfront in Senglea is called after this distinguished naval officer, who has several monuments in Argentina dedicated to him, while a number of schools and 19th century warships have borne his name.