HomeForty years after the Titanic, the Andrea Doria hit's the sea bed. That night of the 21st of July 1956, between the Lights of Nantucket and Ambrose marking the entry of the New York harbour, a thick fog lies. Captain Piero Calamai was doing his 101th crossover at the command of the Andrea Doria, luxurious Italian Liner. He orders the position lights to be turned on and sounds the foghorn to signal his presence. |
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He also puts more
men on watch. Coming from an other time he has only little confidence
in modern electronics notably the radar's that the ship is equipped
with. From the superb dining room we can hear music : passengers
are partying for their last night aboard and their footsteps echo
in the gangways. A ship is signalled on port side, its the Stockholm.
She is also aware of the proximity of the Andrea Doria. Both ships
should cross without any problem but on port side which is illegal
and contrary to naval laws. The Stockholm decides to turn in order
to cross the Doria on starboard. Unfortunately a misreading of the
radar makes her crew believe that she is much further away from
the Doria than she really is. The Doria turns to the left but the
collision cannot be avoided. Seven of the eleven watertight compartments
flood and the Andrea Doria tilts instantly. An SOS is immediately
sent and the rescue is initiated : 5 boats change their heading
notably the Ile de France, commanded by the Baron Raoul de Baudean.
He never got a confirmation of the collision but decided to turn
round and come to help, opposing the instructions fixed by his shipowners.
His action saved 750 wreckers. The 46 casualties where killed during
the impact with the Stockholm. The wreckage of the Andrea Doria
had a lot of press because the ship was built to avoid all the past
errors. Sounds like a certain Titanic in 1912.
The wreck of the Andrea Doria lies in 75 m of water 150 miles offshore. The site is exposed to strong currants which is why the divers must be well qualified and physically fit. What better event to enter the third millennium than a group of European divers to meet the challenge of this dive ? Aldo Ferrucci, Italian, put together three Frenchmen, a Belgian, a Swiss and five more Italians among the best specialists in the Technical Diving community. Among them five are journalists and professional underwater photographers. In New York Joel Silverstein, well known professional organises the expedition and Doctor Bill Hamilton, dive physiologist sets up dive tables. The expedition is planned in July 2000 and the final goal is to commemorate the biggest rescue operation at sea in history. |
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| 29 Jun 2000: departure from Milan heading for New York and upon arrival the limousine | ||
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| 30 Jun 2000: reception of the OMS equipment and setting up | ||
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| 30 Jun 2000: evening at the Caracalla restaurant with Chief Vincenzo (Doria survivor) | ||
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| 01 July 2000: first day of diving to get acquainted with the new equipment | ||
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| 01 July 2000: by the end of the day Dr Bill Hamilton gives an interview to M6 | ||
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| 02 July 2000: we are encountering numbers of problems with the organisation and organise a meeting | ||
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| 03 July 2000: interview with the US Coast Guards for M6 | ||
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| 04 July 2000: the weather is good and the departure for the Andrea Doria is announced | ||
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| 04 July 2000: Captain Steve Belinda gives his briefing and gives us all a Doria mug | ||
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| 05 July 2000: two dives are planned today | ||
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| 06 July 2000: second and last day of diving on the Doria. Today the plaque must be placed | ||
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