Shipwreck of Angel Gabriel

Following the letters from Mr Buchanan and Mr Pulis, may I correct one detail and add another, regarding the shipwreck of the Angel Gabriel in late September 1969. The tanker ran aground at il-Gżira point, limits of Marsascala, the site where the Jerma Palace Hotel was later built. This is the easternmost point of the Maltese islands.

At the time, the place was still quiet and rustic in character, St Thomas Tower being the only building of note standing there. The road leading from the 'Siberia' area of Marsascala was still just a little wider than a country footpath and Marsascala was then a picturesque fishing village and summer resort.

Following news of the shipwreck, thousands flocked to the site to watch the impressive wreck. For many of them it was their first visit to Wied il-Għajn, as Marsascala is also known.

The storm was quite a severe north-easterly gregale which lasted about five days and destroyed many boats, especially at Għadira, St Paul's Bay and St Julian's. The Gozo ferry Jylland suspended the service for lack of proper berthing facilities at Marfa which is exposed to the gregale.

Although at the time I was only 12, I still have vivid memories of the storm since my family and I, who decided to take a short three-day break in Marsalforn, were left stranded in Gozo for a whole week. Mr Buchanan will surely find more details in the papers of the time.