- published: 14 May 2007
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Coordinates: 40°29′30″N 69°51′0″W / 40.49167°N 69.85°W / 40.49167; -69.85
SS Andrea Doria /ˈændriə ˈdɔəriə/AN-dree-ə DOHR-ee-ə was an ocean liner for the Italian Line (Società di navigazione Italia) home ported in Genoa, Italy, most famous for its sinking in 1956, when 52 people died (51 from immediate impact).
Named after the 16th-century Genoese admiral Andrea Doria, the ship had a gross register 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, 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 16 June 1951, the ship undertook its maiden voyage on 14 January 1953.
On 25 July 1956, while the Andrea Doria was approaching the coast of Nantucket, Massachusetts, bound for New York City, the eastbound MS Stockholm of the Swedish American Line collided with it in what became one of history's most infamous maritime disasters. Struck in the side, the top-heavy Andrea Doria immediately started to list severely to starboard, which left half of its lifeboats unusable. The consequent shortage of lifeboats might have resulted in significant loss of life, but the efficiency of the technical design of the ship allowed it to stay afloat for over 11 hours after the ramming. The good behavior of the crew, improvements in communications and the rapid response of other ships averted a disaster similar in scale to that of the Titanic in 1912. 1,660 passengers and crew were rescued and survived, while 46 people died as a consequence of the collision. The evacuated luxury liner capsized and sank the following morning. This accident remains the worst maritime disaster to occur in United States waters since the sinking of the S.S. Eastland in 1915.
Actors: Kurt Sowinetz (actor), Paul Hartmann (actor), Kurt Heintel (actor), Friedrich Schiller (writer), Albert Rueprecht (actor), Sieghardt Rupp (actor), Heinrich Schweiger (actor), Theodor Grädler (director), Theodor Grädler (writer), Doris Kirchner (actress), Carl Bosse (actor), Sonja Sutter (actress), Heinz Woester (actor), Aladar Kunrad (actor),
Genres: Drama,instrumental