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{|{{Infobox ship begin|display title=''Artiglio''}}
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| Ship image=Artiglio.jpg
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| Ship caption=''Artiglio II'' in 1932.
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{{Infobox ship career
{{Infobox ship career
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| Ship route=
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| Ship ordered=
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| Ship builder= Mackie & Thomson, Govan<ref>https://www.clydeships.co.uk/view.php?year_built=&builder=&ref=12418&vessel=MACBETH</ref>
| Ship builder=
| Ship original cost=
| Ship original cost=
| Ship yard number=
| Ship yard number= 324
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| Ship launched= 07. February 1906
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| Ship fate=Sunk in an explosion in 1930
| Ship fate=Sunk in an explosion in 1930
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| Ship displacement=
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| Ship length={{convert|46.85|m|ft}}
| Ship length={{convert|46.85|m|ft}}
| Ship beam={{convert|7.01|m|ft}}<ref name="Bozzo">{{it icon}} {{cite web|url=http://www.agenziabozzo.it/vecchie_navi/B-Vapore/Navi_1850-1950_B018_Navi_recupero_ARTIGLIO_e_RAFFIO_davanti_al_porto_di_Camogli_1926.htm|title=Piroscafo Artiglio e Raffio - davanti a Camogli 1928 ([[English language|en]]: Steamship ''Artiglio'' and ''Raffio'' - in Camogli 1928)|publisher=Agenzia Immobiliare Bozzo|language=[[Italian language|Italian]]|accessdate=16 October 2012}} This page incorrectly states that the explosion of the ''Florence H.'' was caused by recovery work on the ''Egypt''.</ref>
| Ship beam={{convert|7.01|m|ft}}<ref name="Bozzo">{{cite web|url=http://www.agenziabozzo.it/vecchie_navi/B-Vapore/Navi_1850-1950_B018_Navi_recupero_ARTIGLIO_e_RAFFIO_davanti_al_porto_di_Camogli_1926.htm|title=Piroscafo Artiglio e Raffio - davanti a Camogli 1928|trans-title= Steamship ''Artiglio'' and ''Raffio'' - in Camogli 1928|publisher=Agenzia Immobiliare Bozzo|language=it|access-date=16 October 2012}} This page incorrectly states that the explosion of the ''Florence H.'' was caused by recovery work on the ''Egypt''.</ref>
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The '''''Artiglio''''' ("Talon") was a [[steamship]] used as a [[salvage ship]] by the shipping company SO.RI.MA. (Society for Maritime Recovery) of [[Genoa]], founded in 1926 by Commendatore [[Giovanni Quaglia]]. At the time of her loss in 1930, ''Artiglio'' was the world's most modern salvage ship.<ref name="Bozzo"/><ref name="Time 1">{{cite journal|journal=[[Time (magazine)|Time]]|url=http://www.time.com/time/magazine/article/0,9171,740833,00.html|date=22 December 1930|title=ITALY: Artiglio|language=[[English language|English]]|accessdate=14 October 2012}}</ref>
The '''''Artiglio''''' ("Talon") was a [[steamship]] used as a [[salvage ship]] by the shipping company SO.RI.MA. (Society for Maritime Recovery) of [[Genoa]], founded in 1926 by Commendatore [[Giovanni Quaglia]]. At the time of her loss in 1930, ''Artiglio'' was the world's most modern salvage ship.<ref name="Bozzo"/><ref name="Time 1">{{cite journal|journal=[[Time (magazine)|Time]]|url=http://www.time.com/time/magazine/article/0,9171,740833,00.html|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20090814051219/http://www.time.com/time/magazine/article/0,9171,740833,00.html|url-status=dead|archive-date=August 14, 2009|date=22 December 1930|title=ITALY: Artiglio|access-date=14 October 2012}}</ref>


== History ==
== History ==
The ''Artiglio'' was built in [[Glasgow]] in 1906. It was initially named the ''Macbeth'' and later called the ''Ideale''.<ref name="Bozzo"/> It was the [[flagship]] of a small [[fleet]] which included the ''Rostro'', ''Raffio'' and ''Arpione'', outfitted in the twenties and used for the recovery of sunken ships mainly during the [[First World War]] and after the [[Second World War]], and crewed by a group of experienced divers. The fleet was equipped with innovative equipment and futuristic at the time, thanks to the dynamism of its owner who bought the first modern and functional [[atmospheric diving suit]], and the inventiveness of [[Alberto Gianni]], known for inventing the [[decompression chamber]] and "torretta butoscopica", an exploration turret used for recoveries at great depth, then still too risky for divers with the classic equipment.<ref name="Ulderico">{{it icon}} {{cite book|last=Tegani|first=Ulderico|title=Viaggi nel mondo sommerso ([[English language|en]]: Travel in the underwater world)|language=Italian|publisher=[[Mondadori]]|location=[[Milan]]|year=1931|url=http://www.okeanos.it/storia/hds_agianni.htm}}</ref><ref>{{cite book|title=Seventy Fathoms Deep|first=David|last=Scott|language=English|publisher=[[Faber & Faber Limited]]|location=[[London]]|year=1931}}</ref><ref>{{cite book|title=The Egypt gold|first=David|last=Scott|language=English|publisher=Faber & Faber|location=London|year=1932}}</ref>
The ''Artiglio'' was built in [[Glasgow]] in 1906. It was initially named the ''Macbeth'' and later called the ''Ideale''.<ref name="Bozzo"/> It was the [[flagship]] of a small [[fleet vehicle|fleet]] which included the {{SS|Rostro|1917|2}}, ''Raffio'' and ''Arpione'', outfitted in the twenties and used for the recovery of sunken ships mainly during the [[First World War]] and after the [[Second World War]], and crewed by a group of experienced divers. The fleet was equipped with innovative equipment and futuristic at the time, thanks to the dynamism of its owner who bought the first modern and functional [[atmospheric diving suit]], and the inventiveness of [[Alberto Gianni]], known for inventing the portable on-board [[decompression chamber]] and the "torretta butoscopica", an exploration turret used for recoveries at great depth, then still too risky for divers using classic equipment.<ref name="Ulderico">{{cite book|last=Tegani |first=Ulderico |title=Viaggi nel mondo sommerso |trans-title=Travel in the underwater world |language=it |publisher=[[Mondadori]] |location=[[Milan]] |year=1931 |url=http://www.okeanos.it/storia/hds_agianni.htm |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20081012170817/http://www.okeanos.it/storia/hds_agianni.htm |archive-date=2008-10-12 }}</ref><ref>{{cite book|title=Seventy Fathoms Deep|first=David|last=Scott|publisher=[[Faber & Faber Limited]]|location=[[London]]|year=1931}}</ref><ref>{{cite book|title=The Egypt gold|first=David|last=Scott|publisher=Faber & Faber|location=London|year=1932}}</ref>


The ''Artiglio'' in particular received much attention in international news when it was sent, on behalf of [[Lloyd's of London]], to the [[Atlantic Ocean]] off the coast of [[Brest, France]], in search of the [[ocean liner]] [[SS Egypt|SS ''Egypt'']], flying the British flag, carrying a valuable cargo consisting of coins and gold bullion for the banks of [[India]], then still a British colony. Following various sensational failures by other major English and Dutch recovery companies, the research and recovery contract was offered to SO.RI.MA. of Genoa. Head diver Alberto Gianni was in command of operations. The wreck of ''Egypt'' was identified on 29 August 1930 at a depth of -130m but the bad winter weather forced postponement of the recovery to the following spring. In the meantime, the ''Artiglio'' was sent to the island of [[Belle Île]], in the northwest of [[France]], to recover the {{SS|Florence H||2}}, which sank in 1917, carrying a large quantity of explosives, on the harbor front obstructing the passage.
The ''Artiglio'' in particular received much attention in international news when it was sent, on behalf of [[Lloyd's of London]], to the [[Atlantic Ocean]] off the coast of [[Brest, France]], in search of the [[ocean liner]] [[SS Egypt|SS ''Egypt'']], flying the British flag, carrying a valuable cargo consisting of coins and gold bullion for the banks of [[India]], then still a British colony. Following various sensational failures by other major English and Dutch recovery companies, the research and recovery contract was offered to SO.RI.MA. of Genoa. Head diver Alberto Gianni was in command of operations. The wreck of ''Egypt'' was identified on 29 August 1930 at a depth of -130m but the bad winter weather forced postponement of the recovery to the following spring. In the meantime, the ''Artiglio'' was sent to the island of [[Belle Île]], in the northwest of [[France]], to recover the {{SS|Florence H||2}}, which sank in 1917, carrying a large quantity of explosives, on the harbor front obstructing the passage.


During the demolition of ''Florence H.'', it was erroneously assumed that the explosive, submerged for more than 13 years, was not reactive. On 8 December 1930, as a result of a demolition charge, the payload inside the ship also exploded. The ''Artiglio'', positioned by a fatal error of assessment at an insufficient distance, was destroyed by the explosion and sank in the [[Bay of Biscay]] between Belle Île and [[Houat]], [[Morbihan]], France. In this tragic accident twelve crew members died,<ref name="Times 1">{{Cite newspaper The Times |articlename=Salvage ship disaster |day_of_week=Tuesday |date=9 December 1930 |page_number=14 |issue=45691 |column=A |language=English}}</ref><ref name="Times 2">{{Cite newspaper The Times |articlename=Casualty reports |day_of_week=Tuesday |date=9 December 1930 |page_number=24 |issue=45691 |column=E |language=English}}</ref><ref name="Quaglia">{{it icon}} {{cite web|url=http://www.gianniroghi.it/Testi/l'europeo/5943%20.htm|last=Roghi|first=Gianni|title=DOPO TRENT’ANNI UN’INCHIESTA RIVELA I RETROSCENA DELLA FAVOLOSA IMPRESA ([[English language|en]]: Thirty years later, an investigation reveals behind the scenes of a fabulous business)|language=Italian|accessdate=14 October 2012}}</ref><ref name="Artiglio II">{{it icon}} {{cite web|url=http://www.agenziabozzo.it/vecchie_navi/B-Vapore/Navi_1850-1950_B438_nave_recuperi_ARTIGLIO_della_SORIMA_in_arrivo_a_Plymouth_1932.htm|title=nave recuperi ARTIGLIO in arrivo a Plymouth 1932 ([[English language|en]]: Recovery ship ARTIGLIO arrives in Plymouth 1932)|publisher=Agenzia Immobiliare Bozzo|language=Italian|accessdate=14 October 2012}}</ref> including divers Alberto Gianni, [[Aristide Franceschi]], and [[Alberto Bargellini]], all from [[Viareggio]],<ref name="Time 1"/><ref>{{it icon}} {{cite web|url=http://www.comune.viareggio.lu.it/marineria/palombari.html|archiveurl=http://web.archive.org/web/20090619055657/http://www.comune.viareggio.lu.it/marineria/palombari.html|title=Palombari dell'Artiglio ([[English language|en]]: Divers of the ''Artiglio'')|publisher=Museo della Marineria|archivedate=19 June 2009|accessdate=16 October 2012}}</ref> and the ship's commander, Captain Bertolotto di Camogli.<ref name="Bozzo"/> The survivors were rescued by {{SS|Rostro|1917|2}}.<ref name="Times 1"/><ref name="Times 2"/>
During the demolition of ''Florence H.'', it was erroneously assumed that the explosive, submerged for more than 13 years, was not reactive. On 8 December 1930, as a result of a demolition charge, the payload inside the ship also exploded. The ''Artiglio'', positioned by a fatal error of assessment at an insufficient distance, was destroyed by the explosion and sank in the [[Bay of Biscay]] between Belle Île and [[Houat]], [[Morbihan]], France. Twelve crew members died in the accident,<ref name="Times 1">{{Cite newspaper The Times |title=Salvage ship disaster |date=9 December 1930 |page=14 |issue=45691 |column=A |language=en}}</ref><ref name="Times 2">{{Cite newspaper The Times |title=Casualty reports |date=9 December 1930 |page=24 |issue=45691 |column=E |language=en}}</ref><ref name="Quaglia">{{cite web|url=http://www.gianniroghi.it/Testi/l'europeo/5943%20.htm|archive-url=https://archive.today/20130218083220/http://www.gianniroghi.it/Testi/l'europeo/5943%20.htm|url-status=dead|archive-date=18 February 2013|last=Roghi|first=Gianni|title=DOPO TRENT’ANNI UN’INCHIESTA RIVELA I RETROSCENA DELLA FAVOLOSA IMPRESA|trans-title=Thirty years later, an investigation reveals behind the scenes of a fabulous business|language=it|access-date=14 October 2012}}</ref><ref name="Artiglio II">{{cite web|url=http://www.agenziabozzo.it/vecchie_navi/B-Vapore/Navi_1850-1950_B438_nave_recuperi_ARTIGLIO_della_SORIMA_in_arrivo_a_Plymouth_1932.htm|title=nave recuperi ARTIGLIO in arrivo a Plymouth 1932|trans-title=Recovery ship ARTIGLIO arrives in Plymouth 1932|publisher=Agenzia Immobiliare Bozzo|language=it|access-date=14 October 2012}}</ref> including divers Alberto Gianni, [[Aristide Franceschi]], and [[Alberto Bargellini]], all from [[Viareggio]],<ref name="Time 1"/><ref name="Viareggio">{{cite web|url=http://www.comune.viareggio.lu.it/index.php?option=com_content&view=article&id=1262:artiglio&Itemid=161|title=I Palombari dell'Artiglio|trans-title= The Divers of the ''Artiglio''|publisher=[[Viareggio|Comune di Viareggio]]|access-date=17 October 2012|language=it}}</ref> and the ship's commander, Captain Bertolotto di Camogli.<ref name="Bozzo"/> The survivors were rescued by the ''Rostro''.<ref name="Times 1"/><ref name="Times 2"/><ref name="Viareggio"/>


== ''Artiglio II'' ==
== ''Artiglio II'' ==
To retrieve the treasure of the ''Egypt'', Commendatore Quaglia quickly outfitted a second ship, originally given the name ''Maurétanie'', and renaming it ''Artiglio II''; it was, however, soon generally called "Artiglio". With this ship, refitted and restored by the crew of SO.RI.MA., mostly equipped with recovered material from the ''Artiglio'', thanks to inventions and organization left by Alberto Gianni, and in the face of enormous sacrifices on the part of the crew in stormy waters off the coast of Brest, all the treasure of the ''Egypt'' was finally recovered, largely made ​​up of coins, bars and gold bullion as well as several bars of silver. The recovery occurred at a depth deemed impossible to reach at the time by divers, who used the famous "torretta butoscopica" invented by Gianni, dropped to -130 meters, to direct the work of buckets operated aboard the ''Artiglio''. This event brought great prestige to [[Italy]], the achievement being acclaimed worldwide by heads of state and government of the time.<ref name="Time 2">{{cite journal|journal=Time|url=http://www.time.com/time/magazine/article/0,9171,743932,00.html|date=4 July 1932|title=Science: Fortune from Neptune|language=English|accessdate=14 October 2012}}</ref> Congratulations were sent from all over the world, including from [[George V]] ([[King of the United Kingdom]]), [[Benito Mussolini]],{{Citation needed|date=October 2012}} and then-communications minister [[Costanzo Ciano]].<ref>{{it icon}} {{cite news|journal=[[Il Giornale]]|url=http://www.ilgiornale.it/genova/lavventura_che_stupi_il_mondo/30-08-2006/articolo-id=115051-page=0-comments=1|title=L'avventura che stupi il mondo ([[English language|en]]: The adventure that astonished the world)|date=30 August 2006|language=Italian|accessdate=14 October 2012}}</ref>
To retrieve the treasure of the ''Egypt'', Commendatore Quaglia quickly outfitted a second ship, originally given the name ''Maurétanie'', and renaming it ''Artiglio II''; it was, however, soon generally called "Artiglio". With this ship, refitted and restored by the crew of SO.RI.MA., mostly equipped with recovered material from the ''Artiglio'', thanks to inventions and organization left by Alberto Gianni, and in the face of enormous sacrifices on the part of the crew in stormy waters off the coast of Brest, all the treasure of the ''Egypt'' was finally recovered, largely made up of coins, bars and gold bullion as well as several bars of silver. The recovery occurred at a depth deemed impossible to reach at the time by divers, who used the famous "torretta butoscopica" invented by Gianni, dropped to -130 meters, to direct the work of buckets operated aboard the ''Artiglio''. This event brought great prestige to [[Italy]], the achievement being acclaimed worldwide by heads of state and government of the time.<ref name="Time 2">{{cite journal|journal=Time|url=http://www.time.com/time/magazine/article/0,9171,743932,00.html|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20080613192119/http://www.time.com/time/magazine/article/0,9171,743932,00.html|url-status=dead|archive-date=June 13, 2008|date=4 July 1932|title=Science: Fortune from Neptune|access-date=14 October 2012}}</ref> Congratulations were sent from all over the world, including from [[George V]] ([[King of the United Kingdom]]), [[Benito Mussolini]],{{Citation needed|date=October 2012}} and then-communications minister [[Costanzo Ciano]].<ref>{{cite news|journal=[[Il Giornale]]|url=http://www.ilgiornale.it/genova/lavventura_che_stupi_il_mondo/30-08-2006/articolo-id=115051-page=0-comments=1|title=L'avventura che stupi il mondo|trans-title=The adventure that astonished the world|date=30 August 2006|language=it|access-date=14 October 2012}}</ref>


== Giovanni Quaglia ==
== Giovanni Quaglia ==
Commendatore [[Giovanni Quaglia]], a man of great business ability and foresight, was the forerunner of all modern high depth naval activities and recovery diving operations. Thanks to him, all the oil companies and the naval forces of the world are also equipped with vehicles and equipment following the operating philosophy of the ''Artiglio'' and SO.RI.MA. which he founded and directed, a company with which he completed numerous salvage and maritime operations, and which thanks to its continued success was considered the best and most competitive at a global level. He was also the first Italian owner to set up a fleet of [[oil tanker]]s. Unfortunately, he was also regarded as a person of few scruples and did not respect commitments with divers and crews that had earned both prestige and money, not bestowing awards and promised adequate compensation. With the complicity of the Fascist regime he managed to evade union demands by the maritime confederation.<ref name="Quaglia"/>
Commendatore [[Giovanni Quaglia]], a man of great business ability and foresight, was the forerunner of all modern high depth naval activities and recovery diving operations. Thanks to him, all the oil companies and the naval forces of the world are also equipped with vehicles and equipment following the operating philosophy of the ''Artiglio'' and SO.RI.MA. which he founded and directed, a company with which he completed numerous salvage and maritime operations, and which thanks to its continued success was considered the best and most competitive at a global level. He was also the first Italian owner to set up a fleet of [[oil tanker]]s. Unfortunately, he was also regarded as a person of few scruples and did not respect commitments with divers and crews that had earned both prestige and money, not bestowing awards and promised adequate compensation. With the complicity of the Fascist regime he managed to evade union demands by the maritime confederation.<ref name="Quaglia"/>

Shortly after, she was engaged in the unsuccessful salvation attempts of the [[French submarine Prométhée (1930)|French submarine ''Prométhée'']], sunk on July 7, 1932 off [[Cherbourg]].


== David Scott ==
== David Scott ==
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== Viareggio ==
== Viareggio ==
In memory of the ship and the divers from the city of Viareggio, the Artiglio Europe Foundation was established in Viareggio. It bestows the International Artiglio Award on those who have distinguished themselves in the world of diving and the study and protection of the marine environment.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.artiglio.org/INGLESE/default.html|title=Artiglio Europa Fondazione Onlus|language=English|accessdate=14 October 2012}}</ref> There is also a secondary school in Viareggio, the ''Istituto Tecnico Nautico Artiglio'' (Nautical State School "Artiglio"), which prepares students for careers in the [[Merchant Navy]] and as [[shipbuilder]]s.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.nauticoartiglio.lu.it/eng/index_eng.htm|title=Nautical State School Artiglio|language=English|publisher=Istituto Tecnico Nautico Artiglio|date=26 August 2010|accessdate=14 October 2012}}</ref> Since 1966, the city has operated the "club subacqueo Artiglio" ("''Artiglio'' diving club"). The local maritime museum has a large section devoted to the actions of Viareggio divers and diving equipment made available by the club members.
In memory of the ship and the divers from the city of Viareggio, the Artiglio Europe Foundation was established in Viareggio. It bestows the International Artiglio Award on those who have distinguished themselves in the world of diving and the study and protection of the marine environment.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.artiglio.org/INGLESE/default.html |title=Artiglio Europa Fondazione Onlus |access-date=14 October 2012 |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20080723181951/http://www.artiglio.org/INGLESE/default.html |archive-date=23 July 2008 }}</ref> There is also a secondary school in Viareggio, the ''Istituto Tecnico Nautico Artiglio'' (Nautical State School "Artiglio"), which prepares students for careers in the [[Merchant Navy]] and as [[shipbuilder]]s.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.nauticoartiglio.lu.it/eng/index_eng.htm|title=Nautical State School Artiglio|publisher=Istituto Tecnico Nautico Artiglio|date=26 August 2010|access-date=14 October 2012|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20150501133445/http://www.nauticoartiglio.lu.it/eng/index_eng.htm|archive-date=1 May 2015|url-status=dead}}</ref> Since 1966, the city has operated the "club subacqueo Artiglio" ("''Artiglio'' diving club"). The local maritime museum has a large section devoted to the actions of Viareggio divers and diving equipment made available by the club members.


==Bibliography==
==Bibliography==
*{{cite book|last=Tegani|first=Ulderico|title=Viaggi nel mondo sommerso ([[English language|en]]: Travel in the underwater world)|year=1931|publisher=[[Mondadori]]|location=[[Milan]]|language=[[Italian language|Italian]]}}
*{{cite book|last=Tegani|first=Ulderico|title=Viaggi nel mondo sommerso|trans-title=Travel in the underwater world|year=1931|publisher=[[Mondadori]]|location=[[Milan]]|language=it}}
*{{cite book|last=Scott|first=David|title=Seventy Fathoms Deep|year=1931|publisher=[[Faber & Faber|Faber & Faber Ltd]]|location=[[London]]|language=[[English language|English]]}}
*{{cite book|last=Scott|first=David|title=Seventy Fathoms Deep|year=1931|publisher=[[Faber & Faber|Faber & Faber Ltd]]|location=[[London]]}}
*{{cite book|last=Scott|first=David|title=Con i palombari dell'Artiglio ([[English language|en]]: With the divers of the ''Artiglio'')|year=1931|publisher=Treves Treccani Tuminelli|language=Italian}}
*{{cite book|last=Scott|first=David|title=Con i palombari dell'Artiglio |trans-title=With the divers of the ''Artiglio''|year=1931|publisher=Treves Treccani Tuminelli|language=it}}
*{{cite book|last=Scott|first=David|title=The Egypt Gold|year=1932|publisher=Faber & Faber Ltd|location=London|language=English}}
*{{cite book|last=Scott|first=David|title=The Egypt Gold|year=1932|publisher=Faber & Faber Ltd|location=London}}
*{{cite book|last=Scott|first=David|title=L'Artiglio e l'oro dell'Egypt ([[English language|en]]: The ''Artiglio'' and the gold of the ''Egypt'')|year=1932|publisher=Mondadori|location=Milan|language=Italian}}
*{{cite book|last=Scott|first=David|title=L'Artiglio e l'oro dell'Egypt|trans-title=The ''Artiglio'' and the gold of the ''Egypt''|year=1932|publisher=Mondadori|location=Milan|language=it}}
*{{cite book|last=Micheli|first=Silvio|title= L'Artiglio ha confessato|year=1997|publisher=Mauro Baroni|language=Italian|isbn=88-8209-040-X}}
*{{cite book|last=Scott|first=David|title=The Egypt's Gold|year=1939|publisher=Penguin|location=London}}
*{{cite book|last=Poddi|first=Stefano|title=L'avventura dell'Artiglio e le banconote di Hyderabad|date=October 2010|publisher=Cronanca Numismatica n. 233|location=|language=Italian}}
*{{cite book|last=Micheli|first=Silvio|title= L'Artiglio ha confessato|year=1997|publisher=Mauro Baroni|language=it|isbn=88-8209-040-X}}
*{{cite book|last=Poddi|first=Stefano|title=L'avventura dell'Artiglio e le banconote di Hyderabad|date=October 2010|publisher=Cronanca Numismatica n. 233|language=it}}

== See also ==
{{Portal|Transport}}
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* [[Shipwreck]]
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* [[Underwater diving]]


== References ==
== References ==
{{Expand Italian|Artiglio (nave)|date=October 2012}}
<!--- See http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Wikipedia:Footnotes on how to create references using <ref></ref> tags which will then appear here automatically -->
<!--- See http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Wikipedia:Footnotes on how to create references using <ref></ref> tags which will then appear here automatically -->
{{Reflist}}
{{Reflist}}

== Related articles ==
* [[Alberto Gianni]]
* [[Historical Diving Society]]
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* [[Shipwreck]]
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* [[Underwater diving]]


== External links ==
== External links ==
* {{cite web |url=http://www.fondazioneartiglio.it/|title= The Artiglio foundation official web site}}
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* {{it icon}} {{cite web|url=http://www.agenziabozzo.it/vecchie_navi/B-Vapore/Navi_1850-1950_B018_Navi_recupero_ARTIGLIO_e_RAFFIO_davanti_al_porto_di_Camogli_1926.htm|title=Piroscafo Artiglio e Raffio - davanti a Camogli 1928 ([[English language|en]]: Steamship ''Artiglio'' and ''Raffio'' - in Camogli 1928)|publisher=Agenzia Immobiliare Bozzo|language=[[Italian language|Italian]]|accessdate=16 October 2012}}
* {{cite web |url=https://www.toscanaovunquebella.it/en/viareggio/the-artiglio-tragedy-fire-in-the-hole|title=The Artiglio tragedy: "FIRE IN THE HOLE!"}}
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* {{it icon}} {{cite web|url=http://www.agenziabozzo.it/vecchie_navi/B-Vapore/Navi_1850-1950_B016_Nave_ARTIGLIO_durante_recupero_relitto_ss_Washington_Camogli_1926.htm|title=Piroscafo Artiglio 1926 - SORIMA - recupero 1926 ([[English language|en]]: Steamship ''Artiglio'' 1926 - SORIMA - recovery 1926)|publisher=Agenzia Immobiliare Bozzo|language=Italian|accessdate=15 October 2012}}
* [http://lugnad.ie/italian-salvage-at-galley-head/ Italian Salvage Ships at the Galley Head ]
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* {{it icon}} {{cite web|url=http://www.agenziabozzo.it/vecchie_navi/B-Vapore/Navi_1850-1950_B438_nave_recuperi_ARTIGLIO_della_SORIMA_in_arrivo_a_Plymouth_1932.htm|title=nave recuperi ARTIGLIO in arrivo a Plymouth 1932 ([[English language|en]]: Recovery ship ARTIGLIO arrives in Plymouth 1932)|publisher=Agenzia Immobiliare Bozzo|language=Italian|accessdate=15 October 2012}}
* [http://www.lookandlearn.com/blog/31247/the-sunken-p-o-liner-egypt-was-called-the-impossible-salvage/ The P & O Liner ‘Egypt’ was called “the impossible salvage”]
* {{cite web|url=http://www.artiglio.org/INGLESE/default.html|title=Artiglio Europa Fondazione Onlus|language=[[English language|English]]|accessdate=14 October 2012}}
* [http://www.pandosnco.co.uk/egypt.html The SS Egypt of 1897]
* {{it icon}} {{cite web|url=http://www.comune.viareggio.lu.it/marineria/palombari.html|archiveurl=http://web.archive.org/web/20090619055657/http://www.comune.viareggio.lu.it/marineria/palombari.html|title=Palombari dell'Artiglio ([[English language|en]]: Divers of the ''Artiglio'')|publisher=Museo della Marineria|archivedate=19 June 2009|accessdate=16 October 2012}}
* [https://web.archive.org/web/20140715014310/http://www.deepimage.co.uk/wrecks/egypt/egypt_mainpages/egypt_history.htm Egypt history on Deepimage.co.uk]
⚫
* {{cite web|url=http://www.nauticoartiglio.lu.it/eng/index_eng.htm|title=Nautical State School Artiglio|publisher=Istituto Tecnico Nautico Artiglio|date=26 August 2010|language=English|accessdate=14 October 2012}}
⚫
* {{cite web|url=http://www.agenziabozzo.it/vecchie_navi/B-Vapore/Navi_1850-1950_B018_Navi_recupero_ARTIGLIO_e_RAFFIO_davanti_al_porto_di_Camogli_1926.htm|title=Piroscafo Artiglio e Raffio - davanti a Camogli 1928 |trans-title=Steamship ''Artiglio'' and ''Raffio'' - in Camogli 1928|publisher=Agenzia Immobiliare Bozzo|language=it|access-date=16 October 2012}}
* {{it icon}} {{cite news|journal=[[La Stampa]]|title=A DUE CHILOMETRI DALLA COSTA UN’ALTRA GROSSA
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* {{cite web|url=http://www.agenziabozzo.it/vecchie_navi/B-Vapore/Navi_1850-1950_B016_Nave_ARTIGLIO_durante_recupero_relitto_ss_Washington_Camogli_1926.htm|title=Piroscafo Artiglio 1926 - SORIMA - recupero 1926|trans-title=Steamship ''Artiglio'' 1926 - SORIMA - recovery 1926|publisher=Agenzia Immobiliare Bozzo|language=it|access-date=15 October 2012}}
NAVE LATINA IN ATTESA DEL RECUPERO
⚫
* {{cite web|url=http://www.agenziabozzo.it/vecchie_navi/B-Vapore/Navi_1850-1950_B438_nave_recuperi_ARTIGLIO_della_SORIMA_in_arrivo_a_Plymouth_1932.htm|title=nave recuperi ARTIGLIO in arrivo a Plymouth 1932|trans-title= Recovery ship ARTIGLIO arrives in Plymouth 1932|publisher=Agenzia Immobiliare Bozzo|language=it|access-date=15 October 2012}}
Albenga, si cominciò
* {{cite web|url=http://www.artiglio.org/INGLESE/default.html |title=Artiglio Europa Fondazione Onlus |access-date=14 October 2012 |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20080723181951/http://www.artiglio.org/INGLESE/default.html |archive-date=23 July 2008 }}
con 3 anfore romane
* {{cite web|url=http://www.comune.viareggio.lu.it/index.php?option=com_content&view=article&id=1262:artiglio&Itemid=161|title=I Palombari dell'Artiglio|trans-title= The Divers of the ''Artiglio''|publisher=[[Viareggio|Comune di Viareggio]]|access-date=17 October 2012|language=it}}
A due chilometri dalla costa
⚫
* {{cite web|url=http://www.nauticoartiglio.lu.it/eng/index_eng.htm|title=Nautical State School Artiglio|publisher=Istituto Tecnico Nautico Artiglio|date=26 August 2010|access-date=14 October 2012|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20150501133445/http://www.nauticoartiglio.lu.it/eng/index_eng.htm|archive-date=1 May 2015|url-status=dead}}
un’altra grossa nave latina
in attesa del recupero|last=Ravizza|first=Vittorio|date=17 August 2005|url=http://www.lastampa.it/nordovest/savona/05/08/museonavaleromano/default.asp|archiveurl=http://web.archive.org/web/20081211142744/http://www.lastampa.it/nordovest/savona/05/08/museonavaleromano/default.asp|archivedate=11 December 2008|accessdate=16 October 2012}}
* {{cite news|journal=[[La Stampa]]|title=A DUE CHILOMETRI DALLA COSTA UN’ALTRA GROSSA NAVE LATINA IN ATTESA DEL RECUPERO - Albenga, si cominciò con 3 anfore romane - A due chilometri dalla costa un’altra grossa nave latina in attesa del recupero|last=Ravizza|first=Vittorio|date=17 August 2005|url=http://www.lastampa.it/nordovest/savona/05/08/museonavaleromano/default.asp|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20081211142744/http://www.lastampa.it/nordovest/savona/05/08/museonavaleromano/default.asp|archive-date=11 December 2008|access-date=16 October 2012|language=it}}
* {{it icon}} {{cite web|url=http://www.gianniroghi.it/Testi/l'europeo/5943%20.htm|last=Roghi|first=Gianni|title=DOPO TRENT’ANNI UN’INCHIESTA RIVELA I RETROSCENA DELLA FAVOLOSA IMPRESA ([[English language|en]]: Thirty years later, an investigation reveals behind the scenes of a fabulous business)|language=Italian|accessdate=15 October 2012}}
* {{cite web|url=http://www.gianniroghi.it/Testi/l'europeo/5943%20.htm|archive-url=https://archive.today/20130218083220/http://www.gianniroghi.it/Testi/l'europeo/5943%20.htm|url-status=dead|archive-date=18 February 2013|last=Roghi|first=Gianni|title=DOPO TRENT’ANNI UN’INCHIESTA RIVELA I RETROSCENA DELLA FAVOLOSA IMPRESA|trans-title=Thirty years later, an investigation reveals behind the scenes of a fabulous business|language=it|access-date=15 October 2012}}
* {{cite web|url=http://www.deepimage.co.uk/wrecks/egypt/egypt_mainpages/egypt_mainpage.htm|title=SS Egypt Gold Shipwreck technical diving expeditions|last=Bishop|first=Leigh|authorlink=Leigh Bishop|language=English|publisher=Leigh Bishop|accessdate=14 October 2012}}
* {{cite web|url=http://www.deepimage.co.uk/wrecks/egypt/egypt_mainpages/egypt_mainpage.htm|title=SS Egypt Gold Shipwreck technical diving expeditions|last=Bishop|first=Leigh|author-link=Leigh Bishop|publisher=Leigh Bishop|access-date=14 October 2012|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20121008050342/http://www.deepimage.co.uk/wrecks/egypt/egypt_mainpages/egypt_mainpage.htm|archive-date=8 October 2012|url-status=dead}}
* {{it icon}} {{cite web|url=http://www.modellistika.it/Articoli/Artiglio/Artiglio.htm|title=ARTIGLIO|language=Italian|accessdate=15 October 2012}}
* {{cite web|url=http://www.modellistika.it/Articoli/Artiglio/Artiglio.htm|archive-url=https://archive.today/20130218101718/http://www.modellistika.it/Articoli/Artiglio/Artiglio.htm|url-status=dead|archive-date=18 February 2013|title=ARTIGLIO|language=it|access-date=15 October 2012}}
* {{it icon}} {{cite news|journal=[[Il Giornale]]|url=http://www.ilgiornale.it/genova/lavventura_che_stupi_il_mondo/30-08-2006/articolo-id=115051-page=0-comments=1|title=L'avventura che stupi il mondo ([[English language|en]]: The adventure that astonished the world)|date=30 August 2006|language=Italian|accessdate=14 October 2012}}
* {{cite news|journal=[[Il Giornale]]|url=http://www.ilgiornale.it/genova/lavventura_che_stupi_il_mondo/30-08-2006/articolo-id=115051-page=0-comments=1|title=L'avventura che stupi il mondo |trans-title= The adventure that astonished the world|date=30 August 2006|language=it|access-date=14 October 2012}}
* {{it icon}} {{cite journal|journal=Lega Navale|url=http://www.leganavale.it/portale/notiziario/07_07art5.pdf|title=La leggenda dell'Artiglio ([[English language|en]]: The legend of the ''Artiglio'')|language=Italian|year=2007|month=July|pages=19-24|format=PDF|archiveurl=http://web.archive.org/web/20081121002335/http://www.leganavale.it/portale/notiziario/07_07art5.pdf|archivedate=21 November 2008|accessdate=14 October 2012}}
* {{cite journal|journal=Lega Navale|url=http://www.leganavale.it/portale/notiziario/07_07art5.pdf|title=La leggenda dell'Artiglio|trans-title= The legend of the ''Artiglio''|language=it|date=July 2007|pages=19–24|format=PDF|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20081121002335/http://www.leganavale.it/portale/notiziario/07_07art5.pdf|archive-date=21 November 2008|access-date=14 October 2012}}
* {{citation |url=http://www.shippingwondersoftheworld.com/diving-million.html |chapter=Diving for £1,000,000 |title=Shipping Wonders of the World |year=1937 | pages=63–71 |editor-first=Clarence |editor-last=Winchester }} illustrated description of the salvage of the SS ''Egypt''


{{coord missing|France}}
{{Portal|Disasters|Nautical}}


<!--- Categories --->
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[[Category:Articles created via the Article Wizard]]
[[Category:Maritime incidents in 1930]]
[[Category:Maritime incidents in 1930]]
[[Category:Ships of Italy]]
[[Category:Ships of Italy]]
[[Category:Shipwrecks of the Biscay coast]]
[[Category:Shipwrecks in the Bay of Biscay]]
[[Category:1906 ships]]

Latest revision as of 08:39, 7 April 2024

Artiglio II in 1932.
History
NameMacbeth, Ideale, Artiglio
OwnerGiovanni Quaglia
OperatorSO.RI.MA. (Society for Maritime Recovery)
BuilderMackie & Thomson, Govan[1]
Yard number324
Launched07. February 1906
Out of service1930
FateSunk in an explosion in 1930
General characteristics
TypeSteamship (salvage ship)
Tonnage283.73 tons
Length46.85 metres (153.7 ft)
Beam7.01 metres (23.0 ft)[2]

The Artiglio ("Talon") was a steamship used as a salvage ship by the shipping company SO.RI.MA. (Society for Maritime Recovery) of Genoa, founded in 1926 by Commendatore Giovanni Quaglia. At the time of her loss in 1930, Artiglio was the world's most modern salvage ship.[2][3]

History

[edit]

The Artiglio was built in Glasgow in 1906. It was initially named the Macbeth and later called the Ideale.[2] It was the flagship of a small fleet which included the Rostro, Raffio and Arpione, outfitted in the twenties and used for the recovery of sunken ships mainly during the First World War and after the Second World War, and crewed by a group of experienced divers. The fleet was equipped with innovative equipment and futuristic at the time, thanks to the dynamism of its owner who bought the first modern and functional atmospheric diving suit, and the inventiveness of Alberto Gianni, known for inventing the portable on-board decompression chamber and the "torretta butoscopica", an exploration turret used for recoveries at great depth, then still too risky for divers using classic equipment.[4][5][6]

The Artiglio in particular received much attention in international news when it was sent, on behalf of Lloyd's of London, to the Atlantic Ocean off the coast of Brest, France, in search of the ocean liner SS Egypt, flying the British flag, carrying a valuable cargo consisting of coins and gold bullion for the banks of India, then still a British colony. Following various sensational failures by other major English and Dutch recovery companies, the research and recovery contract was offered to SO.RI.MA. of Genoa. Head diver Alberto Gianni was in command of operations. The wreck of Egypt was identified on 29 August 1930 at a depth of -130m but the bad winter weather forced postponement of the recovery to the following spring. In the meantime, the Artiglio was sent to the island of Belle Île, in the northwest of France, to recover the Florence H, which sank in 1917, carrying a large quantity of explosives, on the harbor front obstructing the passage.

During the demolition of Florence H., it was erroneously assumed that the explosive, submerged for more than 13 years, was not reactive. On 8 December 1930, as a result of a demolition charge, the payload inside the ship also exploded. The Artiglio, positioned by a fatal error of assessment at an insufficient distance, was destroyed by the explosion and sank in the Bay of Biscay between Belle Île and Houat, Morbihan, France. Twelve crew members died in the accident,[7][8][9][10] including divers Alberto Gianni, Aristide Franceschi, and Alberto Bargellini, all from Viareggio,[3][11] and the ship's commander, Captain Bertolotto di Camogli.[2] The survivors were rescued by the Rostro.[7][8][11]

Artiglio II

[edit]

To retrieve the treasure of the Egypt, Commendatore Quaglia quickly outfitted a second ship, originally given the name Maurétanie, and renaming it Artiglio II; it was, however, soon generally called "Artiglio". With this ship, refitted and restored by the crew of SO.RI.MA., mostly equipped with recovered material from the Artiglio, thanks to inventions and organization left by Alberto Gianni, and in the face of enormous sacrifices on the part of the crew in stormy waters off the coast of Brest, all the treasure of the Egypt was finally recovered, largely made up of coins, bars and gold bullion as well as several bars of silver. The recovery occurred at a depth deemed impossible to reach at the time by divers, who used the famous "torretta butoscopica" invented by Gianni, dropped to -130 meters, to direct the work of buckets operated aboard the Artiglio. This event brought great prestige to Italy, the achievement being acclaimed worldwide by heads of state and government of the time.[12] Congratulations were sent from all over the world, including from George V (King of the United Kingdom), Benito Mussolini,[citation needed] and then-communications minister Costanzo Ciano.[13]

Giovanni Quaglia

[edit]

Commendatore Giovanni Quaglia, a man of great business ability and foresight, was the forerunner of all modern high depth naval activities and recovery diving operations. Thanks to him, all the oil companies and the naval forces of the world are also equipped with vehicles and equipment following the operating philosophy of the Artiglio and SO.RI.MA. which he founded and directed, a company with which he completed numerous salvage and maritime operations, and which thanks to its continued success was considered the best and most competitive at a global level. He was also the first Italian owner to set up a fleet of oil tankers. Unfortunately, he was also regarded as a person of few scruples and did not respect commitments with divers and crews that had earned both prestige and money, not bestowing awards and promised adequate compensation. With the complicity of the Fascist regime he managed to evade union demands by the maritime confederation.[9]

Shortly after, she was engaged in the unsuccessful salvation attempts of the French submarine Prométhée, sunk on July 7, 1932 off Cherbourg.

David Scott

[edit]

Aboard the Artiglio lived the journalist and writer David Scott, special correspondent for The Times of London, who promptly dispatched articles by radio. On the day of the sinking he was on land, but he was present during the campaign to recover the treasure of the Egypt, all the steps of which he described in detail. He was very close to the crew and later wrote several books on the events related to the company SO.RI.MA. that had considerable international success, thus helping to create the myth of the Italian divers. The books he wrote are an important reference point for enthusiasts and historians, because they are so numerous and provide detailed information about the historical events related to the world of Italian divers at that time.

Viareggio

[edit]

In memory of the ship and the divers from the city of Viareggio, the Artiglio Europe Foundation was established in Viareggio. It bestows the International Artiglio Award on those who have distinguished themselves in the world of diving and the study and protection of the marine environment.[14] There is also a secondary school in Viareggio, the Istituto Tecnico Nautico Artiglio (Nautical State School "Artiglio"), which prepares students for careers in the Merchant Navy and as shipbuilders.[15] Since 1966, the city has operated the "club subacqueo Artiglio" ("Artiglio diving club"). The local maritime museum has a large section devoted to the actions of Viareggio divers and diving equipment made available by the club members.

Bibliography

[edit]
  • Tegani, Ulderico (1931). Viaggi nel mondo sommerso [Travel in the underwater world] (in Italian). Milan: Mondadori.
  • Scott, David (1931). Seventy Fathoms Deep. London: Faber & Faber Ltd.
  • Scott, David (1931). Con i palombari dell'Artiglio [With the divers of the Artiglio] (in Italian). Treves Treccani Tuminelli.
  • Scott, David (1932). The Egypt Gold. London: Faber & Faber Ltd.
  • Scott, David (1932). L'Artiglio e l'oro dell'Egypt [The Artiglio and the gold of the Egypt] (in Italian). Milan: Mondadori.
  • Scott, David (1939). The Egypt's Gold. London: Penguin.
  • Micheli, Silvio (1997). L'Artiglio ha confessato (in Italian). Mauro Baroni. ISBN 88-8209-040-X.
  • Poddi, Stefano (October 2010). L'avventura dell'Artiglio e le banconote di Hyderabad (in Italian). Cronanca Numismatica n. 233.

See also

[edit]

References

[edit]
  1. ^ https://www.clydeships.co.uk/view.php?year_built=&builder=&ref=12418&vessel=MACBETH
  2. ^ a b c d "Piroscafo Artiglio e Raffio - davanti a Camogli 1928" [Steamship Artiglio and Raffio - in Camogli 1928] (in Italian). Agenzia Immobiliare Bozzo. Retrieved 16 October 2012. This page incorrectly states that the explosion of the Florence H. was caused by recovery work on the Egypt.
  3. ^ a b "ITALY: Artiglio". Time. 22 December 1930. Archived from the original on August 14, 2009. Retrieved 14 October 2012.
  4. ^ Tegani, Ulderico (1931). Viaggi nel mondo sommerso [Travel in the underwater world] (in Italian). Milan: Mondadori. Archived from the original on 2008-10-12.
  5. ^ Scott, David (1931). Seventy Fathoms Deep. London: Faber & Faber Limited.
  6. ^ Scott, David (1932). The Egypt gold. London: Faber & Faber.
  7. ^ a b "Salvage ship disaster". The Times. No. 45691. London. 9 December 1930. col A, p. 14.
  8. ^ a b "Casualty reports". The Times. No. 45691. London. 9 December 1930. col E, p. 24.
  9. ^ a b Roghi, Gianni. "DOPO TRENT'ANNI UN'INCHIESTA RIVELA I RETROSCENA DELLA FAVOLOSA IMPRESA" [Thirty years later, an investigation reveals behind the scenes of a fabulous business] (in Italian). Archived from the original on 18 February 2013. Retrieved 14 October 2012.
  10. ^ "nave recuperi ARTIGLIO in arrivo a Plymouth 1932" [Recovery ship ARTIGLIO arrives in Plymouth 1932] (in Italian). Agenzia Immobiliare Bozzo. Retrieved 14 October 2012.
  11. ^ a b "I Palombari dell'Artiglio" [The Divers of the Artiglio] (in Italian). Comune di Viareggio. Retrieved 17 October 2012.
  12. ^ "Science: Fortune from Neptune". Time. 4 July 1932. Archived from the original on June 13, 2008. Retrieved 14 October 2012.
  13. ^ "L'avventura che stupi il mondo" [The adventure that astonished the world]. Il Giornale (in Italian). 30 August 2006. Retrieved 14 October 2012.
  14. ^ "Artiglio Europa Fondazione Onlus". Archived from the original on 23 July 2008. Retrieved 14 October 2012.
  15. ^ "Nautical State School Artiglio". Istituto Tecnico Nautico Artiglio. 26 August 2010. Archived from the original on 1 May 2015. Retrieved 14 October 2012.
[edit]

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