Maritime Life and Traditions No. 10

Table of Contents THE BEACH-LAUNCHED FLEET OF HASTINGS By Roger Michael Johnson While many industrialized fishing communities are struggling after decades of over-fishing and ever-increasing legislation, a few specialized, small-scale fisheries are holding their own by continuing to work the sea with traditional methods and boats. The author offers a personal overview of the local clinkerbuilt craft and the fishing techniques used from and directly affected by the steeply sloping pebble beach of Hastings on England’s south coast. THE DON QUIXOTE OF THE MISSISSIPPI By Cyril Hofstein In 1682, Robert Cavelier de La Salle journeyed from Montreal, Canada, to the Great Lakes, and thence sailed down the Mississippi and founded Louisiana. Two years later, he tried to return by sea in order to build a fort. But his dream became a nightmare. A fascinating tale of exploration, adventure, survival, and, ultimately, death. DISCOVERING LA BELLE By John de Bry and Jean Boudriot For three centuries the wreck of Robert Cavelier de La Salle1s barque longue lay undiscovered and undisturbed beneath the murky waters of Matagorda Bay, but, in 1995, nearly 310 years after La Belle1s fatal grounding, the wreck was at last located. What followed was one of the most remarkable underwater archaeological excavations and an impressive subsequent reconstruction to the plans of French naval architect Jean Boudriot. LORDS UPON THE OCEAN - A VOYAGE IN THE COAL TRADE By Adrian Osler and Dick Keys With the help of a contemporary balladeer the authors take a fresh look at the real conditions of life and work for the collier men who, for nearly 300 years, supplied London with a continuous supply of northern coal. THE DGHAJSA OF MALTA By Joseph Muscat and Nicolas Millot For many centuries the harbours of Malta have been served by traditional oared passenger-boats known as dghajjes. In their form can be seen the influences of many cultures — local and foreign — and they have worked for conquerors and conquered alike. In the 1900s much was done in an attempt to save the trade for future generations but with the arrival of more modern transportation and the departure of the British Royal Navy it would seem that the days of the dghajsa are numbered. Nevertheless, as Nicolas Millot discovered, the dghajsa may yet have a chance of survival thanks to the continued popularity of the traditional 38th September 2 regattas.