SS Andrea Doria

The SS Andrea Doria was an ocean liner for the Italian Line (Società di navigazione Italia) homeported in Genoa, Italy. Named after the 16th-century Genoese admiral Andrea Doria, the Andrea Doria had a gross tonnage of 29,100 and a capacity of about 1,200 passengers and 500 crew. For a country attempting to rebuild its economy and reputation after World War II, the Andrea Doria was an icon of Italian national pride. Of all Italy's ships at the time, Andrea Doria was the largest, fastest and supposedly safest. Launched on June 16, 1951, the ship undertook its maiden voyage on January 14, 1953.

Heritage

Stockholm's bow was repaired at a cost of $1 million. Today, it sails as a refurbished cruise ship, the MS Athena.

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The story of the accident was retold by Alvin Moscow in his book Collision Course: The Story of the Collision Between the 'Andrea Doria' and the 'Stockholm. It was published in 1959.

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A group of survivors remains in contact with each other through a web site run by an Andrea Doria survivor. Some stay in touch through a newsletter, and there have been reunions and memorial services.

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The Andrea Doria was also mentioned in and served as an inspiration to the entertainment industry. In an episode of the American TV sitcom Seinfeld, George Costanza has a chance to get a new apartment, but another prospective tenant uses the fact that he was aboard the Andrea Doria at the time of the collision to win approval from the condo board, much to George's annoyance. The movie Ghost Ship featured a ship, the Antonia Graza, which was loosely based on the Andrea Doria.

Related Topics:
Sitcom - Seinfeld - George Costanza - Ghost Ship

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