The voyage of the Nostra Signora de’ Dolori e Sant’Antonio di Padova

A shipment of grain loaded in Gela and intended for Genoa. The vessel departed Gela on 3 May 1719 and two days later, while passing by the coast of Favignana, a violent north-west wind resulted in very stormy seas that forced the ship to heave-to for forty-eight hours. During this time there was a breach in the hull: seawater poured into the bilge, and soaked grain soon appeared in the pump-water. When the winds eased the vessel, which was roughly 30–40 nautical miles east of Malta, jettisoned two coils of hemp cable and four fenders to lighten the load. Unstable winds then carried the vessel to the lee of Portopalo di Capo Passero, where the vessel took refuge, but the damage made a more secure refuge imperative. The captain decided to embark for Malta and entered the Grand Harbour on 14 May with the pumps still working and the hold containing the soaked grain. Early on 15 May the captain lodged a formal protest before the Consolato del Mare of Malta and sought permission to discharge the cargo for survey (fearing extensive water damage) and to repair the leak that had endangered the ship.