1766-Sept.: The French frigate La Modeste, armed with 24 cannons and carrying 70 men, was destroyed at sea after being struck by lightning.

1766-Sept.: The French frigate La Modeste, armed with 24 cannons and carrying 70 men, was destroyed at sea after being struck by lightning. Captain Jules Gayet survived for four horrific days atop the floating main mast before being rescued by an English vessel named Guillaume & Jeanne. Only 19 survivors were eventually brought to Marseille, while another 11 crew members were recovered by a Dutch ship and taken to Genoa. This maritime disaster underscored the extreme risks of transatlantic travel even for heavily armed military vessels of the era.