The voyage of the Saint-Pierre

A shipment of grain loaded in Ancona and intended for Genoa. The vessel departed from the port of Ancona on 14 October 1719 and the voyage proceeded uneventfully until 15 November, when the vessel was caught in a violent south-west wind while navigating about 6 km off Capo Colonna, causing the crew to seek refuge in Crotone. On the following day, 16 November, there was a shift to strong south-east winds, forcing the crew to deploy two heavy hawsers and a large cable to secure the ship. However, the force of the winds snapped one hawser into three pieces, left the other badly frayed, and broke the cable entirely. After the weather moderated on 18 November, vessel resumed its course and on 21 November, while sailing about 25 km off Capo Spartivento, it was struck by renewed storms with south/south-west winds and stormy seas. The crew made full sail in an effort to round the cape and avoid grounding, but the strength of the storm caused the mainmast to break in two places, tore away a sail, and smashed the stern crossbeams. The vessel managed to continue onwards and, on 30 November, neared the island of Capraia. It was then intercepted by an armed vessel under the Imperial flag, commanded by captain Fulgenzo Morena, who boarded and examined the bills of lading. Finding that these documents did not name specific recipients, Morena detained the vessel and escorted it to Portoferraio, where it was sequestered for several days, with the captain and crew afterwards providing a legal testimony on 24 December.