Oral history of the Malta Dockyard: Carmelo Coleiro

Education-Apprenticeship process

(0:30) He joined the dockyard in 1950, at the age of 14 years. He entered with the colour makers, who made flags and boilersuits. Sailmakers were also part of their department and they usually did tents for ships. When the drydocks was handed over to Bailey, he changed his trade to and became an engine fitter.

He describes work place of the Textiles section, that was located at No1 dock Area above the tunnels connecting Dockyard Creek with French Creek. The area had a wooden flooring and was called the sail-loft, where sails / covers were manufactured. There was a chargeman Geraldu Falzon, who used to cut-out the material for the flags, and Carmelo and others used to sew them together. One flag that he found challenging and difficult was the Union Jack, because it required a lot of work.

 

(04:15) He remembers that once a movie called “Single-Handed” was shot in Malta and they manufactured Nazi flags. They also used to manufacture other flags required by ships repairing in the yard, such as a flag for the ship’s next port of call. They also manufactured boiler-suits and sometimes even camp-beds, which were like tent beds made of canvas.

Trade Union-Strikes 

(06:15) He remembers when there was the general strike and the trouble in the dockyard. He recalls that they got out of their workshop to see what was happening, but their chargeman sent them back in. He remembers that the police were involved. There were arrests and some workers even lost their job.  

 

Entering the dockyard-Swan Hunter / Bailey / changeovers 

(07:00) After Bailey took over the dockyard, the yard started taking work on commercial ship. There was a lot of work and a lot of overtime. The No4 and No5 docks were being modernised and extended to take commercial ships such as tankers. In the 70s. Dock No.1 was also modified for new building work.

Entering the dockyard-Salaries, clocking in / out 

(08:15) The commercial work reduced the work at the textiles, so most of the workers wanted to change trade so that they could earn more money through overtime. In 1959, when he got married, the wage was not so good only £5/12s.

He eventually decided to change the trade. He had spent about a year getting practical training, especially on lathe work.

 

(11:00) When he finished his training, he was sent with the chargeman Frans Baldachino. Then after 6 months he went to the machine shop (factory), and then back onboard with George Farrugia. They worked on machinery, shaft, propellers, underwater valves, etc. It was a dangerous job, but they got used to it.

(13:00) He remembers when once a worker injured himself on a crane when his feet got stuck in the gearing on the crane at No.3 Dock. He recalls when workers burned themselves in tanks. He mentions the famous accident of the buoy in No.1 Dock and even when the dock arm collapsed.

 

Trade Union-Reasons for trade unions 

(14:45) The working conditions improved with time. At first, they did not have anywhere to wash themselves and when they had only cold water, but then water-heaters were installed. He remembers, when they only had a box to put their personal effects and another one where they stored their tools. Eventually they were given lockers. He states that at first, they had a lot of hard manual work to do but then hydraulic tools were introduced that reduced a lot of the hard-manual work. They were even given safety hats and shoes.

Family and Social Life-Jokes and Humour 

(15:30) The working relations in the Box-racks was quite good. Before the workers start working and during break time they were always joking together, and this kept good relationship between them. 

(17:45) Coleiro speaks about when once they had an Indian ship and they had to totally dismantle the main engine to change the crankshaft. remove the engine. The engine was manufactured in Germany, and the manufacturer sent a German crew to supervise the work and instruct the yard workers on the work procedures. The engine cylinders were lifted with chain blocks. The crankshaft was removed from the engine and taken out of the engine room through an opening on the shipside. It was a difficult and complicated job.

Coleiro talks about the Russian ships that called for repairs at the yard. One of the main works that they had to do was to change/repair the blades of the propeller. Carmelo states that he preferred turbine ships rather than working on diesel engines. 

Education-Interesting training and skills 

(24:15) Coleiro recalls that while working at the textiles they worked on curtains. They used to go to St. Julians/Paceville were the British lived, and they made curtains for them and even sofa covers. He worked at Villa Portelli too, where they covered everywhere with carpets during the Admiralty.

He joined at 14 years of age and his pay was £1½, and when he was 18 his salary increased.

(26:00) He worked at the floating dock in the 1978 in Libya. He worked 8 weeks there and two weeks at the Dockyard. They used to dock fishing vessels and a sometimes a Libyan naval ship. They were living in a hotel called Haiti Hotel and spent 1½ years. He states that his salary was good there and they also had a living allowance. 

(29:00) He recall that while working at the textiles, they use to give out a shilling every month and on Christmas day, with the saved, they used to buy presents and do the Christmas Party.