The confounding hook was once referred to as ‘Nelson’s hook’. Nelson and many of his officers had to walk along St. John Street to go back to their ship in the harbour after attending a dinner party in Valletta in 1803. When Nelson arrived at the street’s peak, some of his officers dared him to try to slip through. Nelson was indeed successful. The hook was then a reference point and a ‘test’ for midshipmen joining the Royal Navy. They were instructed to emulate Nelson and crawl through the hook if they wanted to proceed with their position.
Interestingly, the hook was removed for unknown reasons in 1899 but made its way back to Valletta shortly after due to disapproval from the general public.