The Malta University Historial Society has announced its 2013 Andrew Vella Memorial Lecture, this year entitled, ‘At Tale of Tragedy and Heroics: The Loss of HMS Olympus,’ by Dr Timmy Gambin, Senior Lecturer in Marine Achaeology, University of Malta.

“In the early morning of the 8th of May 1942, the HMS Olympus made her way out of the Grand Harbour of Malta. Her ‘cargo’ consisted of dozens of submariners who had survived the sinking of two other submarines off Malta. Since this tragedy the vessel has lain forgotten on the seabed. Over six decades a scientific mission set out to locate the wreck and survey its remains.”

The talk covers this brief and tragic journey as well as heroic tales of survival.

The Lecture will take place on Friday, the 6th of December, starting at 7.00pm sharp, at the Black Pearl Restaurant, Ta Xbiex, it will be followed by dinner on board.

Ticket price is €20 including a 3-course meal, glass of wine and water.

Places are limited and bookings should be made by Friday, the 29th of November, by sending an email to muhs1963@gmail.com indicating food choices from the menu shown below.

Payment should be made by cheque to ‘The Malta Historical Socity’ and sent to the MUHS c/o Dr Emanuel Buttigieg, Room 219, Faculty of Arts, University of Malta, Msida, by not later than the 29th of November.

The second part of the presentation will focus on the exploration project undertaken, methods used and results obtained. The latter will be put into the context of what we already know from survivors’ accounts.

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