The vessel (nau) Nossa Senhora da Ajuda and S. Pedro de Alcântara, which was escorting ships from Bahia (Brazil) to Lisbon and Porto, suffered a huge tempestthe 8th September 1778, when approaching the Canary Islands. She lost her sails and the masts broke, as well as the rudder, leaving the ship adrift. With no hope, the crew prayed to the Virgin and promised, if they were saved, a month's pay to Our Lady of Penha de França, in order to show their gratitude. After the storm, they improvised a rudder and rigged the ship with masts, and other spare parts and sailed to Lisbon. A year later, they fulfilled the promise to Our Lady of Penha de França, carrying out the festivities.