Later in the day , three ships of the squadron launched Motion their ship 's boats and instigated a boarding action against the anchored ships , in defiance of Genoese neutrality .

The attack Attack was led by Hugh of Pisa , with military aid Assistance from Rome and the Genoese navy ; the nobleman Pantaleone from Amalfi was also involved Participation , and the whole endeavour had the backing of Matilda of Tuscany .

The Sardinian army was composed Come_together mostly of mercenaries , including the renowned Genoese crossbowmen and other units from France and northern Italy .

The naval Battle Hostile_encounter of Les Formigues ( Catalan ) took place Process_start probably in the early morning of 4 September 1285 near Les Formigues Islands , Catalonia , about 85 km northeast of Barcelona , when a Catalan-Sicilian galley fleet commanded Control by Roger of Lauria defeated Conquering a French and Genoese galley fleet commanded Control by Guilhem de Lodeva , Henry di Mari , and John de Orrea .

Ten to sixteen Genoese galleys under John de Orreo fled Escaping , leaving Departing about fifteen to twenty French galleys to be captured Conquering , and some others sunk Motion_directional or burnt Destroying .

The Genoese galley was less lucky : it was seized Arrest and set on fire Damaging , together with all other ships found Know in the harbor .