Why is the launch an emotion? for professionals and also for ordinary people. What does the throwing of helmets and gloves by the workers on the slipway as the ship goes down mean? Those holy cards glued to the bulb of the cross-shaped ship are not only a demonstration of faith, but also a request for protection.
We at Positanonews went to the position with the best visibility well in advance, precisely to collect testimonies and events. The launch was officially behind closed doors, for reasons attributed to the electoral period, but also for reasons of public order, as it was a military ship. The pier and the docks were however crowded with people, on the panoramic road, with cars parked, there was a 5 kilometer slow queue, towards Varano and towards Sorrento.
The one in Castellammare today could be the last launch that uses the inclined plane slipway, in other parts of both Italy and the world, the launch takes place laterally, much less spectacular and quicker.
Maritime tradition in many cultures includes ritual practices, beliefs and superstitions related to the building and launching of boats. These practices, still partly present today, symbolize the transformation of inert materials such as wood or metal into a living and functional vessel, thanks to human mastery.
The rite of launching and baptizing the ship is crucial to giving life to a construction that must face the sea. Folco Quilici quoted a Sicilian fisherman: “Do you baptize your son, give him a name? The boat is the same thing, it is a Christian creature,” where “Christian” means “human”. Ships often have painted eyes to represent their ability to see and orient themselves, symbolically ensuring safe travel.
The launch represents the sailors’ confidence in their vessel. In the past, the blessing rite highlighted this relationship. Today, the launch is more of a secular celebration, although some rituals, such as breaking a bottle of wine on the side, remain. This gesture could derive from ancient sacrificial practices.
Despite the changes, the launch maintains its meaning as a rite of passage and protection. Tragic events such as the sinking of the Concordia al Giglio or the Titanic, linked to accidents during the launch, fuel superstitions regarding bad omens if the ritual is not performed correctly.
