Fortifiocca, l. ii. c. 11. From the account
of this shipwreck, we learn some circumstances of the trade
and navigation of the age.
1. The ship was built and freighted at Naples for the ports of Marseilles
and Avignon.
2. The sailors were of Naples and the Isle of Oenaria less
skilful than those of Sicily and Genoa.
3. The navigation from Marseilles was a coasting voyage to
the mouth of the Tyber, where they took shelter in a storm; but, instead
of finding the current, unfortunately ran on a shoal: the
vessel was stranded, the mariners escaped.
4. The cargo, which was pillaged, consisted of the revenue of Provence for
the royal treasury, many bags of pepper and cinnamon, and
bales of French cloth, to the value of 20,000 florins; a
rich prize.