The voyage of the Nostra Signora della Grazie et Anime Purganti

A shipment of tobacco, salted fish (herring), and cheese loaded in Milazzo and destined for Genoa. The vessel departed Milazzo in mid-October 1719 as part of a convoy of twenty vessels, which included both infantry and cavalry. On the morning of 16 October, as the convoy approached the coast near Anzio, it was struck by a violent storm with heavy rainfall, stormy seas, and powerful south/south-east winds. These severe weather conditions prevented most of the boats in the convoy from entering the port, but the vessel attempted entry (along with another boat) and was battered by the waves and ultimately driven against the rocks and breakwater beneath the lighthouse of the Porto Vecchio at Anzio. The impact damaged the mainmast and yardarms, and tore the foremast sail. The rigging was ripped apart against the rocks, and the hawsers were partially severed. One firearm was destroyed, and most of the crew’s personal belongings and provisions were lost or damaged. The crew managed to salvage some essential equipment, including the rudder with its fittings, two intact yardarms, four anchors, and a small boat. They also retrieved parts of the broken masts and some of the cargo, though much of the tobacco, fish, and cheese was lost. The surviving goods and ship remnants were brought ashore, and on 23 October 1719, the patron made a formal testimony for damages.