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Manifestations - 2nd Edition, May 2003 |
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| Acknowledgements |
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Conferimento delle Medaglie d'Oro al Merito di Marina
Francesco Sodini
A conclusione di una richiesta da noi avanzata fin dalla 1a Edizione del International Artiglio Awardfortemente auspicata e sostenuta anche dall'Associazione Medaglie d'Oro di Lunga Navigazione, dall'Assessore Provinciale Patrizio Petrucci e dal Com.te C.V. Giuseppe Tarzia, il Presidente della Repubblica Carlo Azeglio Ciampi su proposta del Ministro della Difesa On.le Antonio Martino competente in materia,
ha conferito le Medaglie d'Oro al Merito di Marina alla memoria dei Palombari Alberto Gianni, Aristide Franceschi and Alberto Bargellini.
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In the photograph
Alberto Gianni,
Aristide Franceschi
Alberto Bargellini. |
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73 years after the epic feat of the Artiglio and the tragic event in which the divers Gianni, Franceschi and Bargellini lost their lives, we are deeply honored, moved and grateful, as Founders of the Artiglio Award, and along with us, all the Associations of maritime tradition, the City of Viareggio, the Italian Navy and all of the national and local political Authorities, for the high recognition that the President of the Republic wished to bestow in memory of these unforgettable divers of Viareggio,
They were simple, modest men, who by their deeds have made daring, hard work, genius and poetry eternal.
I want now to read the telegram we have received from Mr. C.A. Ciampi, President of the Republic.
On the occasion of the second edition of the Artiglio International Award, I am pleased to send my participation in the Celebration, during which The Navy Gold Medal of Merit in Memoriam will be bestowed upon the three courageous divers from Viareggio: Gianni, Franceschi and Bargellini, who have brought prestige and distinction to our Navy.
The values expressed, professionalism, self-abnegation, courage and spirit of sacrifice, bear witness to the traditions, culture and sense of duty to their flag of those seamen.
Values and sentiments that once inspired and still today inspire our se amen, and which must serve as spur and guide for the youth who wish to approach the sea and its life.
A special thought goes to the families of those men who were lost, to whom I wish to express my solidarity.
While expressing to you, to the organizers and to all of the participants my highest appreciation for this important initiative, I wish you the greatest of success of the Celebration, and send my fondest regards.
Carlo Azeglio Ciampi
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The following is the motivation for bestowing the Navy Gold Medals of Merit:
Divers who have performed intense activity worthy of merit, which has enriched the history of the Italian Navy with unforgettable pages. Particularly noteworthy is the accomplishment, in which many of the world's seamen had ventured in vain, concluded in August of 1930 with the location of the English transatlantic vessel Egypt sunk off the coast of France in 1922 with a cargo of 8 tons of gold and 40 of silver. On that occasion, in addition to recovery of the precious cargo, the world record for diving depth was established at 134 meters. On December 7, 1930, during the demolition of the wreck of an American steamship, the Florence, which was obstructing the navigation along the coast of the island of Houat, these men were killed by the explosion of the remains of the wrecked ship.
Brilliant examples of courage, maritime expertise and sense of duty pushed to extreme sacrifice.
The waters of the Atlantic Ocean, December 7, 1930.
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In the photograph
The son of Alberto Gianni, Iberico
The son of Aristide Franceschi, Euro
The daughter of Alberto Bargellini, Alberta, |
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| are now invited to come onto the stage and receive these high honours in memory of their Fathers from the President of the Senate, Prof. Marcello Pera. |
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Presentation of the Keys of the City of Viareggio by its Mayor, Mr. Marco Marcucci
The Viareggio Town Council has decided to offer the Keys of the City of Viareggio to the French Citizens Gildas Gouarin, Elie Coantic, Claude Rabault
with the following motivation:
On December 7, 1930, the ship Artiglio of the SO.RI.MA., a salvage company of Genoa, sank in the Bay of Quiberon following the explosion of the wrecK of the steamship Florence, which the Artiglio seamen and divers were demolishing.
The three Artiglio divers, Alberto Gianni, Aristide Franceschi and Alberto Bargellini and a sailor, Romualdo Cortopassi, all from Viareggio, were killed in the explosion along with 8 other persons.
Since 1983, the three French divers, Gildas Gouarin, Elie Coantic, and Claude Rabault have performed numerous dives to the wreck of the Artiglio, which is covered by sand and mud, completing an exhausting and dangerous job that has allowed the salvage of a multitude of objects that today give precious testimony to the Story of the Artiglio and its Men.
After salvaging these objects through meticulous and systematic exploration of the wreck, Gildas Gouarin, Elie Coantic, and Claude Rabault prepared, with great care, enthusiasm and expertise the historical report and the exhibit for the Maritime Museum of Quiberon.
The sensitivity and the civic commitment that they have put into deepening their knowledge of the story of the Artiglio and of its men, and into making that knowledge known to the public through production of articles, books and films of success is worth of great respect.
The work that these men have performed and what they have achieved at the Maritime Museum in Quiberon to pass on the memory of the Artiglio to future generations binds them deeply and steadfastly to the highest values that Viareggio, as a Maritime City, has expressed.
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In the photograph
Mayor M. Marcucci offers the Keys of the City of Viareggio to Gildas Gouarin, Elie Coantic and Claude Rabault |
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Acknowledgents
by Federico De Strobel
The members of the Organizing Committee of the International Artiglio Award:
Francesco Sodini President
Amedeo Angeli
Alberto Bargellini
Leonardo Bartelletti
Florindo Cerri
Boris Giannaccini
Benito Giannotti
Guido Jellersitz
Piero Maremmani
Fabrizio Saettone
Sauro Sodini
and CDR Giuseppe Tarzia
Commander of Viareggio harbour
wish to give special acknowledgement to those individuals who above and beyond their responsibilities to the institutions that they represent, have demonstrated, right from the 1st Edition of the Artiglio Award, not only cooperation, but a particular sensitivity and esteem
This recognition, represented by a bronze cast of the logo of the Award, is be presented to:
Mr. Andrea Tagliasacchi, President of the Province of Lucca
Mr. Marco Marcucci, Mayor of Viareggio
Mr. Giancarlo Giurlani, President of the Foundation “Cassa di Risparmio di Lucca”
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