H.M. Dockyard : economic, social and demographic aspects : 1840-1875

Abstract

The aim of this thesis is to provide a better picture of the impact that the H.M. Naval Dockyard had on the economic, infrastructural and demographic developments taking place in the Grand Harbour area, mainly the Dockyard Creek and the French Creek, and last but not least in the Three Cities and suburban areas in the period between 1840 and 1875. Although research has already been done on the dockyard and the Grand Harbour, very few detailed works have been written on the socio-demographic impact that the H.M. Naval Dockyard left on the surrounding hinterland. It is desirable that this thesis can serve as the basis for further and more detailed research on this socio-demographic impact that the H.M. Naval Dockyard left. Although I found abundant sources dealing with the topic under research at the National Archives at Rabat, sources on the day-to-day administration of the H.M. Naval Dockyard, were absent. In fact the Admiral Superintendent was only answerable to the Boards of the Admiralty. It therefore transpires that the only sources available at the National Archives dealt with correspondences between the Admiral Superintendent and the Civil Government, concerning local issues which arised where cooperation with each other was required. As primary sources I made use of the Naval Letter Book (CSG 06): correspondences between the Admiral Superintendent and the Chief Secretary to Government during the period 1840-1850. Unfortunately, from 1850 onwards such correspondences were not indexed and thus it was very difficult and time consuming to examine all the documents. Other material indexed under 'Malta Dock' at the National Library of Malta, dealt with the new dock question in the 1860s. I also made use of CSG 03 and CSG 80, which included further correspondences between the Admiral Superintendent and the Chief Secretary of State. For some statistics, I made use of the GMR 175 (1861 and 1871 Census) and the Blue Books for the whole period in question. Nevertheless, the bulk of the work on this thesis is based on the CSG 02 and Public Work files, thanks to which I was able to draw up a picture of the social impact that the H.M. Naval Dockyard created in the surrounding hinterland and its suburbs.