Malta’s strategic location at the centre of the Mediterranean, combined with its long maritime history, means that its sea-beds are rich with heritage. In this episode we explore Malta's astonishing underwater cultural heritage, managed by Heritage Malta.

Visiting the headquarters of Malta's Underwater Cultural Heritage Unit, Dr Sam Willis speaks with Maja Sausmeka, the Senior Principal Officer for Maritime Archaeology at Heritage Malta. They discuss in depth Gozo's Phoenician shipwreck, the oldest known in the Central Mediterranean, located at 110 meters off Gozo's coast. The wreck, dating back to the 7th century BC, contains amphorae, urns, and grinding stones. They discuss recent projects, including shallow water excavations in Salina Bay and deep water excavations of a range of sites, including a wealth of sunken ships and planes from the Second World War. The team uses 3D photogrammetry for documentation and aims to create a sonar map of Malta's entire seabed to protect and manage underwater heritage effectively. They discuss in detail the richness of Malta's underwater heritage and the ongoing challenges of protecting it.

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Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

In this episode, Dr Sam Willis discusses the conservation of HMS Victory. As the flagship of Admiral Lord Nelson at the Battle of Trafalgar, Victory holds immense historical and cultural significance, but preserving her is proving to be a monumental challenge.

Simon Williams, who leads the ship’s conservation project 'HMS Victory: The Big Repair', shares the unexpected realities of working on the 260-year-old wooden vessel, including the discovery of extensive degradation. What began as a plan to replace six futtocks has grown into a massive effort to conserve 150 futtocks on the starboard side alone. With limited documentation from previous restorations, Simon explains how the team navigates risk management and decision-making in uncharted territory. Simon also discusses the delicate balance between public access and preservation, revealing how the team has had to repair structural elements while ensuring visitor safety and offering the public a rare opportunity to witness conservation in action. He reflects on the privilege of working on HMS Victory, and his fascination with the hidden stories embedded in the ship’s construction and maintenance. To ensure future generations can continue this work, the team is creating a detailed historical record of the conservation process - laying the foundation for informed maintenance and repair for years to come.

Carolina Sophie Henham also offers a fascinating glimpse into the daily realities of conservation work, from managing water ingress to battling persistent pests like the 'Death Watch' beetle, which is notoriously resistant to traditional treatments and particularly fond of oak, HMS Victory’s primary timber. Carolina explains the difficulty of treating infestations without compromising the ship’s structure, and shares insights into the team’s ongoing research into sustainable pest control methods. She also discusses the innovative approaches being explored to protect this historic vessel.

Tony Noon offers a behind-the-scenes tour of the conservation workshop at the National Museum of the Royal Navy in Portsmouth, revealing bays dedicated to tasks like laminating futtocks and carving ornate timbers. The space also houses materials and artefacts from other historic ships, showcasing the broader scope of maritime preservation. This episode offers a rare behind-the-scenes look at one of the most ambitious maritime conservation projects in recent years.

This episode is supported by the Society for Nautical Research, the Save The Victory Fund (STVF) and the Lloyd's Register Foundation.

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In this commemorative episode of Mariner’s Mirror Podcast, host Dr Sam Willis marks the anniversary of the Battle of Trafalgar by exploring the exact location and circumstances of Admiral Lord Nelson’s death aboard HMS Victory on the 21st of October 1805. Joined by Andrew Baines, Executive Director of Museum Operations at the National Museum of the Royal Navy in Portsmouth, and Dr Dan O’Brien, historian of undertakers and funerals in Eighteenth Century England, the discussion unfolds on the very decks where history was made - the quarter deck where Nelson was shot, and the orlop deck where he died.

This episode offers a poignant reflection on the emotional weight that the decks of the Victory still retain. Baines observes how visitors respond to these spaces onboard the ship, noting the evolving significance and the solemn atmosphere on the flagship. The plaque on the quarter deck is polished every morning by the Royal Navy crew to commemorate Nelson's death. Once a functional part of the ship, the purpose of the orlop was forever transformed by the events of Trafalgar. O’Brien explores how this quiet, confined area has become a site of reverence - not only for Nelson’s final moments but also for the countless anonymous sailors who perished. These spaces onboard HMS Victory now stand as a powerful reminder of sacrifice, legacy, and the human cost of naval warfare.

Listeners are immersed in the chaos of battle on October 21, 1805, with vivid accounts of Nelson’s final moments, the ship’s damage, and the emotional impact on the crew. The episode also reflects on the significance of HMS Victory as a national memorial, contrasting it with Trafalgar Square and other public monuments. This is more than a retelling - it’s a journey into the heart of naval heritage, recorded on the ship that still carries Nelson’s legacy.

This episode is supported by the Society for Nautical Research, the Save The Victory Fund (STVF) and the Lloyd's Register Foundation.

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Studying the history of safety at sea reveals how hard-earned lessons from past tragedies have shaped the protections we rely on today. For centuries, seafaring was one of the most dangerous human activities. Shipwrecks, storms, fires, and collisions claimed countless lives, often because of poor ship design, inadequate training, or the absence of regulations. By understanding this history, we see how each disaster spurred reforms—from better lifeboats and signalling systems to international safety standards. Time and again, loss of life at sea prompted innovations in navigation, weather forecasting, and shipbuilding. Its a history that highlights the human dimension of maritime safety, reminding us of the bravery of sailors, the grief of families, and the persistence of campaigners who demanded change. An important aspect of this are the living memories of those who served at sea. In this episode Dr Sam Willis speaks to two sailors who served on merchant ships all over the world, to hear their remarkable stories.

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This is the second episode in a mini series on the history of the Clan Line, one of Britain’s most distinctive and influential shipping companies. In this episode Dr Sam Willis travels the length and breadth of the UK to speak with sailors who served on Clan Line ships, to hear and preserve their memories of this most crucial time in global maritime history.

Founded in Glasgow in 1877 by Charles Cayzer, the line quickly grew into a vast fleet that connected Scotland with Africa, India, and beyond. What made it particularly interesting was its combination of commercial power and cultural identity: every ship bore a “Clan” name, giving the company a strong Scottish character that set it apart in the crowded world of British shipping.

The Clan Line was important because it played a crucial role in Britain’s imperial trade. Its ships carried goods such as jute, tea, and cotton, linking colonial economies to British markets. During both World Wars, the company’s vessels were vital to the Allied cause, transporting troops, supplies, and munitions—often at great risk from enemy submarines. Many were lost, but the service of its crews contributed directly to victory.

Beyond trade and war, the line symbolised the globalisation of the late 19th and early 20th centuries. It represented Scotland’s industrial and maritime strength, while also reflecting the dangers and opportunities of long-distance shipping. Today, the Clan Line stands as a reminder of how shipping shaped commerce, conflict, and community.

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The Clan Line was one of Britain’s most distinctive and influential shipping companies, leaving a lasting mark on maritime and economic history. Founded in Glasgow in 1877 by Charles Cayzer, the line quickly grew into a vast fleet that connected Scotland with Africa, India, and beyond. Famed for its combination of commercial power and cultural identity, every ship bore a “Clan” name, giving the company a strong Scottish character that set it apart in the crowded world of British shipping.

The Clan Line played a crucial role in Britain’s growing imperial trade. Its ships carried goods such as jute, tea, and cotton, linking colonial economies to British markets. During both World Wars, the company’s vessels were vital to the Allied cause, transporting troops, supplies, and munitions—often at great risk from enemy submarines. Many were lost, but the service of its crews contributed directly to victory.

Beyond trade and war, the line symbolised the globalisation of the late 19th and early 20th centuries. It represented Scotland’s industrial and maritime strength, while also reflecting the dangers and opportunities of long-distance shipping. Today, the Clan Line stands as a reminder of how shipping shaped commerce, conflict, and community.

To find out more Dr Sam Willis spoke with Jamie Cayzer-Colvin, direct descendent of Charles Cayzer who founded the company, and Susan Scott, the Cayzer family’s archivist who dug out some fabulous items to bring this great story to life.

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