On 2 July 1816, after his frigate ran aground off what is now Mauritania, the ill-fated captain of the “Medusa” initially attempted to refloat the ship. A storm however broke the hull in two. The 400 sailors, soldiers and settlers hurriedly escaped on six longboats and a makeshift raft measuring 20 by 7 metres. The 152 soldiers who were crammed into it went through hell. Over-crowded, the skiff almost capsized and riots ensued. Only a few officers were armed and the dead and wounded were thrown into the sea. Food and water very quickly depleted, and some of them resorted to cannibalism. Finally, after two weeks of drifting, the raft was found by the “Argus”, carrying only 15 survivors.