Down to the Andrea Doria

Down to the Andrea Doria was filmed shortly after the Italian ship sank on July 26, 1956. A team of divers used state-of-the-art equipment to go down and document the wreck site for posterity. Although a rather short expedition, it was nonetheless a success.

Recent underwater images of the Costa Concordia reminded me of this little film, and I felt compelled to share.

Snapshot: Captain Calamai Helped Ashore

Here we see Captain Piero Calamai being helped ashore after the Andrea Doria sank in July 1956.

A total of 46 people died in the initial collision with the MS Stockholm. All remaining passengers and crew, however, were successfully taken off before the Doria went to the bottom: 1,660 souls were saved. Captain Calamai - in the tradition of the sea - intended to go down with his ship. The pleading of his subordinates, however, coupled with their assurances that all passengers had been rescued persuaded him otherwise.

Captain Calamai never again commanded a ship, nor did he speak of the Andrea Doria disaster. He died in his home on April 7, 1972. His final words were reportedly, "Is everything all right? Are the passengers safe?" This was the only reference he made to the sinking after it happened.

"Ghost Ship"

So far I've posted trailers to three dramas and a comedy. Let's add horror to the mix, shall we?

"Ghost Ship" takes place an abandoned Italian ocean liner, the fictitious Antonia Graza (which seems to be heavily modeled off the Andrea Doria). The beginning of the film (before everyone dies, that is) gives one a terrific idea of what it was like to be aboard one of these liners in the 1950s. Even when the ship reappears in its rusted and desolate state, there is still beauty to be found. It reminded me of a shipwreck....albeit one that floats.

The Ever-Changing Wreck of the Andrea Doria

Ken Marschall's painting of the Italian liner Andrea Doria laying on the seabed is perhaps one of the most iconic images in maritime history. While wrecked, one can still see glimpes of the beauty and elegance that made her one of the most lovely ships afloat.


That was quite a while ago, however, and is a far cry from the condition of the Doria today. Time and the elements have certainly had their way with the old ship.


An article from the Association of Underwater Explorers explains:

The wreck of the Andrea Doria has evolved throughout the years. Where she once appeared very much as an elegant liner peacefully resting on the seafloor, now she has aged and deteriorated, her hull has fractured and collapsed. Her upper decks have slowly slid off the hull of the Doria down to the seabed below. As a result of this transformation, a large debris field flows out from the hull of the liner. Access points frequented by divers, such as Gimbel's Hole, no longer exist. However, new areas are constantly opening up. The wreck is ever-changing, and presents new options for future explorations.

References: "Andrea Doria: A Wreck Undergoing Both Decay and Rebirth," Association of Underwater Explorers, http://uwex.us/ADwreck.htm (accessed January 28, 2011).

A Death Ship?

The MS Athena encountered some "bloody terrifyingly bad" weather after leaving Falmouth, England back in September 2006. Winds were so powerful that one 70-year old doctor was knocked to the deck and died as a result of his injuries.

This was not the first tragedy to befall the ship: the Athena was originally launched in 1948 as the Swedish liner Stockholm.

It was under her original name that she collided with the Italian liner Andrea Doria on the evening of July 25, 1956 and killed a total of 51 people. While the Andrea Doria eventually sunk to the bottom, hundreds of survivors were rescued by both the Stockholm and Ile de France, which had steamed to the Italian liner's aid. Once loaded with survivors, the Swedish ship limped into New York with severe damage to its bow.

The Stockholm was never able to live down its involvement in the accident and became subsequently known as a "death ship," and the fatality in September 2006 only added to this reputation. It seems that even under a new name, the old ship is haunted by its past.


References: Alan Feurer, "From 'Death Ship' to Cruise Ship," The New York Times, September 23, 2006, under N.Y./Region, http://query.nytimes.com/gst/fullpage.html?res=9506EFDB1E31F930A1575AC0A9609C8B63&scp=29&sq=Andrea%20Doria&st=cse (accessed January 25, 2011).