On the coast of Lucania, Aeneas' helmsman in Roman mythology, Palinurus, fell asleep and dropped into the water. He swam to shore but was killed by the Lucanians. Cape Palinuro is named after him. See VirgilAeneid III, 202; V, 858; VI, 381.
As he sat watching the stars, with his hand on the helm, Somnus sent by Neptune approached in the guise of Phorbas and said: “Palinurus, the breeze is fair, the water smooth, and the ship sails steadily on her course.
I will stand at the helm in your place.” Palinurus replied, “Tell me not of smooth seas or favoring winds,—me who have seen so much of their treachery.
Neptune was mindful of his promise and kept the ship on her track without helm or pilot, till Æneas discovered his loss, and, sorrowing deeply for his faithful steersman, took charge of the ship himself.
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