The voyage of the Nostra Signora dei Loreto

A shipment of 57 bales of tobacco, leather goods, coins, textiles, and other merchandise loaded in Livorno and bound for Bocca di Magra, Savona, and Genoa. The voyage began on 20 July 1718 under excellent conditions, with calm seas and favorable winds, and the vessel sailed overnight in the company of several other ships heading to various destinations. However, around 15:00 on 21 July, while off the coast near Carrara, the ship was struck by a sudden and violent storm with torrential rains and strong winds. The sea rose aggressively, overtopping the vessel, and it faced an imminent risk of capsizing. In an effort to save the vessel and their lives, they crew resolved to jettison part of the cargo and cast 22 bales of tobacco overboard in three phases. The vessel as then driven without clear navigational control to until it was about 4 km from Portovenere. At this point the storm began to abate, though the remaining cargo had already been thoroughly soaked by seawater. The crew sought refuge in Bocca di Magra around 23:00 on 21 July, where he entered the port with the surviving, water-damaged merchandise.