Malta’s strategic location, right in the middle of the watery periphery of two large continents, has often played a significant role during various periods in history. Among these, we find that our islands’ ideal bearings served as a formidable spot from where to launch efficacious corsair attacks which brought great riches to our homeland.

When the Order of St John arrived in Malta in 1530, it found that the island had already a basic set-up for corsairing in Vittoriosa, enough to serve a small fleet of corsairs flying the Spanish flag. However, aware of the massive profits which could be gained from such activities, the Order soon got involved to strengthen and improve this enterprise. In fact, it injected heavy investments in the construction of an arsenal in which to build galleys, the establishment of a proper dockyard, the vast provision of weaponry, the regular supplies of food and water and the institution of a well-equipped hospital.

By the 15th century, the Mediterranean had been transformed into a perilous stretch of water, a hunting ground for legalised piracy known as corsairing. Indeed, corsairing was based on a fundamental decree: the right for a licence to attack those who did not believe in the same faith. Although corsairs attacked ships in order to plunder cargoes and capture slaves, they had to act according to a set of defined rules, and non-adherence to these regulations could be severely punished.

Mementos of this enticing local history are exhibited at the Malta Maritime Museum which is housed in the old naval bakery in Vittoriosa. Liam Gauci, the curator of this museum, showed me around the exhibits and provided me with interesting anecdotes and information about a number of particular items which relate to Malta’s corsair period.

Among these, a model of a brigantine and a xebec provide an effective way with which to indicate which types of ships were used by corsairs between the 15th and the 18th centuries. However, my favourite exhibit is the huge metal corsair box which was used to store gold and silver coins and other valuable items. A curious fact is that it took three different keys to open the box.

“The aim of a museum is to deliver a message and provide a history and an identity to a people by means of collections and exhibits. All the objects that we have in this museum have a fascinating story to tell and yet, these things do not have a voice. Therefore, it is our responsibility to study them in order to endow them with a past and a narrative,” explains Gauci.

Rewards were handed to the men who sighted the enemy ship first, boarded the ship or succeeded to capture theenemy flag

We stop in front of a rare example of a corsair rollo, or as it is better known, a corsair crew list. It is dated 1777 and belonged to the xebec of Guglielmo Lorenzi.

Lorenzi was a very popular corsair who had come to live in Malta when he was just 11 years old. He was eventually executed by the French, together with Fr Mikiel Xerri and other locals, after they were involved in an unsuccessful revolt to overthrow the French rule under Napoleon Bonaparte.

“We believe that Maltese history should be written by the locals themselves. That is why we stress the importance for more research, questions, and interest in recovering stories and, if need be, rewriting history,” Gauci says. “On these islands we have extremely valuable archives, some of which, such as the Notarial Archives, are begging for our attention in order to study them and appreciate the records which have been stored for hundreds of years.”

In fact, part of Gauci’s work involves research in several archives: the principal aim is to trace people and events that have an association with the sea.

“The work connected with this museum is not limited to the place itself. In order to substantiate and provide a story to our exhibits, our museum is always in search of information and our archives never fail to impress us,” Gauci says as he invites me to accompany him to the archives which are based at the Banca Giuratale in Mdina.

At the Banca Giuratale, Gauci requests some documents from the historical records of the Tribunale Degli Armamenti, which was the court created by the Order of St John to regulate corsairs. Through these writings, Gauci wants to show me how the museum sifts among the data available in order to follow particular individuals and learn more about their lives.

“In order to take part in the corso, you needed the required permits. No one was allowed to use his ship randomly in order to attack other ships. Indeed, such persons were considered pirates and if captured, they were treated as criminals and suffered severe repercussions.

“You had to possess a ship in order to become a sea captain in the corso. Generally, the ships used for corsairing were frigates, galliots and xebecs. Then, you needed to find the necessary investments and this entailed convincing people to entrust their money in return for a generous interest.

“The next step involved the recruitment of adequate sailors who were ready to risk their lives with the promise of major earnings. Once the captain had his sailors, he was expected to buy food supplies and rent weapons from the Order. When all this was done, the captain was to apply for a flag, either the one which belonged to the Order of St John or that which represented the Grand Master. Which flag was more favoured depended on the Mediterranean’s attitude to our islands.”

When Guglielmo Lorenzi applied to become a sea captain, he encountered some problems. Gauci finds related records in the Tribunale Degli Armamenti’s archives. Among other details, he finds that the sailors who participated in the corso enjoyed several incentives in the form of bonuses which were given to those persons who dared most. Such rewards were handed to the men who sighted the enemy ship first, boarded the ship or succeeded to capture the enemy flag.

Similarly, when one of Lorenzi’s ships was withheld for quarantine next to Manoel Island, a list of every article that was found on the vessel, including used linen, was included in these archives for security purposes. Interestingly, among the several luxuries which this renowned corsair possessed, there were six pistols, a carbine, a musket and a sword, confirming the high-risk business that such people were involved in.