Članovi obitelji Pilato iz Gruža dali su tijekom druge polovice 18. i prvog
desetljeća 19. stoljeća Dubrovačkoj Republici vrsne pomorce i još vrsnije brodograditelje.Among several prominent Gruž shipbuilding families was the Pilato family in the second half of the 18th century and the first decade of the 19th century. They were not only outstanding shipbuilders but seamen, too. The information on them has been gathered from the Dubrovnik Historical Archive. Many a member of the Pilato family has been mentioned as well as contracts for ship construction performed by them in the Gruž shipyard. Here enclosed is an original contract from 1793 between Josip Pilato and son and Nikola Radić Ivanov for ship building. Like all other shipbuilders the Pilatos too, invested money into ship shares called caratti.
They proved their maritime skill and talent by starting as common sailors, ending up as masters of the vessel and remaining on that post for many years. We find proof of their loyalty to the country too, for they acted as intelligence delivering valuable information on events in Albania where they worked as shipbuilders
