Lavezzi is famous in France as the site of one of its greatest naval disasters. The frigate Sémillante, heading for the Crimean War in 1855 with almost 700 on board, was lost with all hands when caught in a storm and driven into the rocks. A cemetery was created on the island for the bodies and a pyramid of boulders was constructed as a remembrance. This cross on one side of the cemetery is constructed from the ships timbers. Only the Chaplain and Captain have marked graves.