Mast of the Malta/ 43 Keel of the Malta

You are at our infamous Mast of the Malta, stop #42 on the Belmar Treasure Trail. Yes, it may look like a huge pole in front of 7-11, and for many years its origin was a mystery. But this tall white landmark is actually a part of Belmar’s maritime history. As you will learn on the interpretive sign at its bottom, the pole is the foremast from the Malta, a ship that was wrecked off 8th Avenue beach in 1885. Look closely and you will see the guide rail that was used to guide the sail up the mast. At the bottom are the gudgeons, the metal fittings where the ship’s boom was attached. Walk across the street and find our stop #43 with another sign on the boardwalk that has information about the remains of the shipwreck, which is about 100 yards offshore. The sternpost of the sunken ship can be seen at low tide.