The Artiglio was a steamboat belonging to a Genoan company that recycled the parts of sunken ships and their cargo gone to ruin.
Lots of sailormen from Viareggio were onboard the Artiglio when, in 1930, a loud boom followed the explosion of the ship as it was working to bring to the surface dangerous cargo in the Quiberon Bay. In memory of the seamen and the precious job of the Artiglio, a specific foundation (the Fondazione Artiglio) dedicated an annual award to subjects who perform special feats in the submarine world and in oceanographic research.
The headquarters of the award and foundation is the Museo della Marineria (maritime museum) of Viareggio, and as well as numerous findings related to the history of the local and Tuscan sailing tradition, it also includes a few parts of the recycling ship.
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