Maltese dghajsa tal-pass

Discussion in 'All Things Boats & Boating' started by daiquiri, Jul 17, 2015.

  1. daiquiri
    Joined: May 2004
    Posts: 5,371
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    Location: Italy (Garda Lake) and Croatia (Istria)

    daiquiri Engineering and Design

    I just got back from Malta, where I have seen these incredibly elegant and fast traditional wooden launches which the locals call "dghajsa tal-pass" (pronounced like "ghaisa tal pas"), or "dghajjes tal-pass" in plural form.

    They are 21 ft long narrow and light wooden taxi boats, originally pushed by oars but now mostly powered by a small (a couple of HPs) side-mounted outboard which allows these little beauties to move very fast and with very little wave-making. "Gliding" is the term which came to me the very first time I saw them speeding.

    Their origins are antique - apparently were brought to Malta islands by Phoenicians, so we are talking about at least 2800 years of tradition, although certainly modified over centuries.

    I would be very interested to learn more about these little beauties, their construction and particularities, so I was wondering if any of you folks can give me a hint about books or other resources where I could see their lines plans, construction particulars and materials, and any other relevant info.

    I had talked with a couple of local dghajsa tal-pass owners and they told me that nobody builds them anymore, as far as they know. I left me appalled. If that is true, then we are talking about an outstanding piece of history, tradition and craftsmanship which is bound to die and vanish forever. It must not happen!

    But perhaps they were simply not informed. I thought that someone in this forum might have an info about a boat yard in Malta (or wherever) who is still producing them, or about an old ship wright who might be willing to share and transmit his knowledge about the dghajjes tal-pass and their construction?

    I realize that is not very probable, but it is certainly worth trying.

    Some resources I have found, with pics and some info:
    https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Dgħajsa
    http://www.timesofmalta.com/articles/view/20070918/local/call-to-save-the-dghajsa.4731
    http://www.tvm.com.mt/mt/news/baqa-biss-madwar-12-il-dghajsa-tal-pass/
    http://www.culturnet.net/malta-immaterial-heritage.aspx
    http://www.timesofmalta.com/articles/view/20140907/local/Kate-to-sail-in-royal-dg-ajsa.534613

    A video (unfortunately in Maltese) which shows dghajjes tal-pass: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=1Jg0D5pCTFI

    A more general info about Maltese fishing boats, colors and tradition: http://www.eh4-marenostrum.net/virtualtour/Marsaxlokk/trail_1/pdf/ARTISANAL-FISHING I.pdf - the page 8 gives an idea about the loss of cultural heritage which is about to happen:
    "The last boat to be built in Marsaxlokk was launched in 2005 or 2006. Today the two boat-building families in Marsaxlokk no longer build fishing boats."
    That's so sad. :(
     
  2. Rurudyne
    Joined: Mar 2014
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    Location: North Texas

    Rurudyne Senior Member

    Does the sheer and form of the Santa Maria (the cargo version) from the link remind you of renderings of a classic era galley sans the ram?
     
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