ARCHIVE MARINE OFFERS


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10.         GAVARRONE, DOMENICO  1855       

The "Rosina" invested by a tempest in the Lion Gulf 

Watercolor on paper, cm 42x51,5                 (inv. Costa n. 23)

Signed:  Fece Domenico Gavarrone Genova li 14 aprile 1855

Known data:

   TYPE:                                             brig
   YEAR OF CONSTRUCTION:    1850
   PLACE OF CONSTRUCTION:  Varazze
   SHIPOWNER:                              Prospero Schiaffino
   CAPTAIN:                                     Paolo Francesco Ferro

Caption:

      "Tempest suffered in the Lion Gulf by the Brig Rosina Capt.n Paul Franc.co Ferro; from the 18th to the 20th day of D.ber 1854 in lat.de 42° 45' N. Long.de 00° 52' and leading the brig until the Lat.de 5° 46' and making yield of a portion of the Cargo, and tools of the Brig, and praying at the same time the help of Our Lady of Boschetto from which came granted the grace."

Notes:

Symptomatic way to describe what happened in the caption of this offering from which we see the importance given to the technical solution adopted: the abandonment of part of the cargo (indicating by the Gavarrone with the gesture of the men and deduced with the floating wares), like an indication of the necessary acquaintance and skill by the sailors, and the contemporary precaution to the supernatural appeal for the participation. "Help yourself that God helps you" translate in lived experience and proposed like an example to follow for the others. 

Perhaps the same spirit motivates the presence of the "Rosina" in the directory of the first ships enrolled to the Mutual Assurance founded in Camogli in 1853 by a group of provident local shipowners, first maritime insurance able to guarantee, thanks to the 500 enrolled associates, within 24 hours from the assessed shipwreck a brand new ship to the shipowner (G. B. Ferrari, The City of the Thousand white Sailships. Camogli 1935, anastatic print. 1991, p.231).

 
BIBLIOGRAPHY: G. B. Ferrari, La cittą dei mille bianchi velieri. (The City of the Thousand White Sailing Ships), Camogli 1935. Anastatic 1991, p. 231.