Malta's dockyard offered several ways to receive a Neptune-class battleship in the Mediterranean. Docks Five and Six could be combined for a capital ship, Dock Seven provided another berth, and Dock Four worked only with its caisson at the outer position. That difference made nominal length less important than the exact operating configuration of each dock. Travelling cranes beside the combined docks improved access for removing or installing heavy equipment. Malta consequently served as a genuine fleet repair hub rather than merely a harbour at a strategically convenient island.
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Malta's docks supported battleships in the Mediterranean
Several Malta docks could receive a Neptune-class battleship, while caisson position and crane access affected how useful each berth was.