The voyage of the Li Apostoli San Giacomo e Filippo

A shipment of brass scraps and other cargo from Messina and Anzio to Genoa. The vessel departed from the port of Anzo on 4 April 1720 with a crew of fourteen and a cargo that included brass scraps loaded in Messina and bound for Genoa. That same evening, instead of encountering the expected land breeze, the ship was struck by a strong north-west wind, forcing it to hold its position offshore while facing south-west winds through the night. In the early hours before dawn on 5 April, the wind shifted to south and then to south-east, which was favorable for resuming the voyage, but was accompanied by rough seas that battered the vessel. By 19:00 on 5 April, the force of the waves had snapped the mainmast below the collar; an emergency lashing was applied to secure it temporarily. The crew attempted to reach the port of Civitavecchia for proper repairs, but as the vessel approached the area near Palo Laziale on 6 April, it was hit by sudden north-west winds. The storm rapidly worsened, with heavy seas from the west and south-west winds, making it impossible to hold course, and forcing the crew to bear away to the south for safety. As the ship began to take on water, the captain and crew, in consultation with the supercargo Vincenzo Borrazzo, lightened the vessel by jettisoning approximately 25 'cantares' of brass scraps and other merchandise to stay afloat. After enduring a night of continued stormy seas, the crew sighted Ponza at dawn on 7 April and attempted to enter the port. However, a contrary wind pushed them back once again. The damage vessel then proceeded (with outside help) to seek refuge in Gaeta that afternoon.