Collision Course Read online

  This photograph of the port lifeboats being torn from the Andrea Doria by the sea was cited as the key picture in the sequence, which earned Trask the Pulitzer Prize.

  … half a name left …

  … gone from sight …

  … Then Trask photographed the Stockholm leaving the scene: note the door, through which survivors had been taken aboard, is still open.

  The Stockholm reached New York. Compare her bow now with that on the first page of photographs.

  This and the spectacular picture on the next page of the listing Andrea Doria were taken at night from the deck of the Ile de France by vacationing Ken Gouldthorpe, then staff photographer for the St. Louis Post Dispatch.

  He used an exposure of about two seconds on his 35mm. camera and hoped for the best because he had no flashbulb equipment with him.

  Second Officer Lars Enestrom views the smashed bow in drydock at the Bethlehem Steel Company Shipbuilding Division in Brooklyn, NY. Repairs cost $1,000,000.

  The bottom deck of the Andrea Doria: water flowed through the tunnel in the fuel tank compartment into the Generator Room. Watertight doors should have protected the Boiler Room and Engine Room from the direct flow of the sea.

  Close-up of the five empty starboard tanks flooded by the collision and the tunnel leading to the Generator Room.

  The course recorder graph of the Stockholm shows the lack of concentration of the helmsman, then the two starboard turns, the point of collision at 132° and the incredible swing directly afterwards. The pen line on the left margin tells what quadrant of the compass to read.

  The graph of the Andrea Doria shows the approach to the Nantucket Lightship, a veering to the left, and then a hard left turn, but it does not show the point of collision. The zigzagging line above merely indicates the drifting of a ship out of control.

  Norma Di Sandro, the youngest casualty of the night, one of five flown by helicopter from the Stockholm to Nantucket, here being transferred to an ambulance.

  Only four of the five removed from the Stockholm survived to make the trip from Nantucket to Boston in this Coast Guard amphibian plane. Norma Di Sandro is in the stretcher on the floor. Three Stockholm crewmen are in the bunks.

  Linda Morgan, the “miracle girl” who was catapulted from one ship to another, being comforted by her father who has his arm around the “man from Cadiz.”

  Mayor Richardson Dilworth and Mrs. Dilworth, who bumped into a swinging door.

  Hollywood actress Ruth Roman reunited at a pier with her son Dickie, whom she had lost while trying to board a lifeboat.

  Mrs. Emma Ponzi, of Newark, NJ, reunited with her son Antonio, one of two who survived where 26 died in the collision section of C-Deck.

  Captain Calamai, some twenty-four hours after the collision, being escorted ashore at the Brooklyn Army Base in New York.

  A diagram of the Stockholm bow, at its deepest penetration, superimposed on the Andrea Doria at the approximate place it struck.

  The names of the rescue ships Pvt. William H. Thomas, Ile de France, and Cape Ann will be perpetuated in American merchant marine history as “Gallant Ships.” Louis S. Rothschild, Under Secretary of Commerce for Transportation (on left) presented the awards to Captain Shea of the Thomas, Captain de Beaudean of the Ile de France and Captain Boyd of the Cape Ann, and a letter of commendation to Captain Blanc of the Robert E. Hopkins (standing left to right).

  Index

  Andrea Doria Officers:

  Calamai, Captain Piero, 13–17, 23–54, 62, 79, 96–7, 103–6, 134, 163–5, 177, 209, 213–4, 220–4, 228, 243, 248–9, 273–86, 303

  Magagnini, Staff Captain Osvaldo, 65–70, 103–5, 158–60, 220–4, 228

  Oneto, First Officer Luigi, 62, 103, 221

  Kirn, First Officer Carlo, 103, 221

  Franchini, Secondo Officer Curzio, 61–9, 74–9, 96, 106–7, 134, 160, 284, 286–8

  Badano, Second Officer Guido, 62, 103–7, 186–7, 213–4, 229, 276, 292

  Giannini, Third Officer Eugenio, 61–79, 96, 106–7, 134, 165, 208–10, 221

  Donato, Third Officer Antonio, 107, 221

  Tortori Donati, Dr. Bruno, 117–20, 162, 166–9, 206–8, 220, 229

  Chiappori, Chief Engineer Alcisio, 99, 101–2, 164–5, 213

  Mondini, First Engineer Giuseppe, 98

  Giannini, Dr. Lorenzo, 117, 168–9, 206–8, 220

  Natta, Monsignor Sebastian, 121, 197, 223

  Andrea Doria Crew:

  Balzano, Cabin Boy Gaetano, 118

  Bertini, Purser Emilio, 116, 160, 330

  Bonivento, Purser Adolfo, 116

  Bussi, Radioman Carlo, 107

  Conte, Cadet John, 221

  Coretti, Chief Nurse Antonia, 118–9, 166–8

  Domenchini, Helmsman Carlo, 66

  Guidi, Chief Radioman Francesco, 107

  Ingianni, Chief Purser Franchesco, 116

  Marraci, Cadet Mario, 221, 276

  Pirelli, Cadet Giuliano, 203

  Rovelli, Steward Giovanni, 161, 166–9, 207, 219–20

  Spina, Fireman Fortunato, 203

  Visciano, Helmsman Giulio, 74, 77

  Andrea Doria Passengers:

  Ansuini, Melanie, 195

  Barton, Gay, 204

  Boyer, Mr. and Mrs. Marion, 109–10

  Carlin, Mr. and Mrs. Walter G., 110, 151–3

  Carola, Margaret, 120, 166

  Carola, Rosa, 117–20, 162, 207

  Cianfarra, Mr. and Mrs. Camille, 112–5, 161, 166–9, 207

  Joan, 113, 150

  Linda (see Morgan)

  Clergy, 161, 197, 220

  Covina, Christina, 120, 166

  D’Elia, Mr. and Mrs. Giovanni, 196

  Dilworth, Mayor and Mrs., 111

  Di Sandro, Norma, 190, 245

  Mr. and Mrs. Tulio, 190

  Dooner, Mrs. Liliana, 130, 195

  Dorneich, Klaus, 195

  Fornaro, Mrs. Josephine, 128

  Fusco, Franco, 124

  Grassier, Christine, 171–181

  Grubenman, Jack, 125–6

  Grubenman, Mr. and Mrs. Don, 126

  Hall, Richard (Roman), 123, 203–4

  Hendler, Sylvan, 171–181

  Hill, Ellis and family, 128

  Hudson, Robert, 118, 166, 222–3

  Iazzetta, Mr. and Mrs. Benvenuto, 120, 166

  Keil, Morris and family, 204

  Krendell, George, 171–181

  La Flamme, Theresa, 125

  Lilley, Marguerite, 171–181

  Lombardi, Antonio, 122

  Maggio, Joseph, 195

  Merlin, Mr. and Mrs. Kenneth, 111

  Morgan, Linda, 113, 149–52, 233

  Morgan, Edward P., 113

  Novik, Morris, 123

  Onder, Mr. and Mrs. Joseph, 117, 119–20, 208

  Parker, Edward, 121

  Passante, Mr. and Mrs. Max, 115, 218

  Peterson, Mr. and Mrs. Thure, 111–5, 161–2, 166–69, 213, 219–20

  Pomilio, Giuseppe, 196

  Ponzi, Antonio, 122

  Rabovsky, Mr. and Mrs. Istvan, 112

  Reinert, Jerome, 206

  Roman, Ruth, 123, 203–4

  Sedja, Mratin Jr., 81

  Sergio, Mr. and Mrs. Paul, 130–1

  Sergio, Mrs. Ross and family, 131

  Theriot, Mr. and Mrs. Ferdinand, 115

  Peter, 115, 162–3, 204, 218–9

  Vali, John, 195

  Waite, Raymond, 161

  Watres, Carl, 245

  Wells, Mrs. Fanny, 127, 166

  Stockholm Officers:

  Nordenson, Captain H. Gunnar, 33–4, 38, 41, 44, 51, 58, 83–92, 145–6, 153, 185, 215–7, 230, 232, 249, 269–72, 303

  Kallback, Chief Officer Herbert, 44, 86–7, 90–2, 146, 233, 241, 271

  Enestrom, Second Officer Lars, 32–3, 86, 91, 153, 185, 188–9, 232

  Abenius, Second Officer Sven, 86, 153, 185, 190

  Carstens-Johannsen, Third Officer Ernst, 31–33, 37–60, 82–84, 86, 153, 185–6, 19
3–4, 254–268, 303

  Assagren, Chief Engineer Gustav, 58, 85, 91

  Bjorkegran, Third Engineer Edwin, 85

  Svensson, Second Engineer Justra, 58, 85

  Dawe, Chief Purser Curt, 88–9, 146–7, 151, 233

  Nessling, Dr. Ake, 147–9, 217, 231

  Stockholm Crew:

  Ahlm, Sven, 148

  Bjorkman, Ingemar G., 37, 41, 48, 50–2, 57, 258, 265

  Claesson, Nurse Karin, 147–9

  Eliasson, Chief Bosun Ivar, 233, 241

  Falk, Lars, 148, 232

  Garcia, Bernabe Polanco, 149–50

  Gustavsson, Wilhelm, 148, 232

  Hagstrom, John, 146

  Hallik, Alexander, 58

  Johansson, Alf, 149, 231

  Johansson, Sten, 41, 46, 56, 264

  Johansson, Radio Operator Sven Erik, 92

  Jonasson, Kennth, 146

  Larson, Helmsman Peter, 40–41, 45–60, 145, 258–9, 265

  Mellgren, Chief Radio Operator Bengt, 92

  Osterberg, Karl Elis, 148

  Reinholdson, Radio Operator Ake, 93

  Smedberg, Arne, 232

  Steen, Sunne, 146

  Trasbo, Valdemar, 152, 191

  Stockholm Passengers:

  Bruner, Miss Colleen, 43

  Pettit, Dr. Horace, 59, 81–2

  General:

  Adams, Frank, 114

  Aircraft, 137, 230–2

  Ali, Giuseppe, 249

  Allanet, Pierre, 141

  Allen, destroyer escort, 237, 240, 242–3

  Ambrose Lightship, 32, 36

  American Export Line, 322

  Andrea Doria

  condition, underwater of, 323, 328–36

  exploration, underwater of, 328–36

  plans for raising, 323–8

  pursers’, offices of, 328–30, 333

  salvaging, 323–8

  estimated cost of, 327

  treasure, rumors of, 328–30, 336

  value, estimated, 327

  Art, 19–21

  Augenti, Captain Bruno, 328

  Awa Maru, 324

  Azore Islands, 66

  Barnett, John, 336

  Beaudéan, Captain Raoul de, 139–48, 199–202, 216, 228

  Blackthorn, 324–5

  Blanc, Captain Réné, 139

  Block Island, 32–33, 48

  Bon Homme Richard, 324

  Boyd, Captain Joseph A., 138, 187, 192

  Brittany, France, 318

  Brostrom Concern, 39, 280, 322

  CBS, 334

  Cannes, 24

  Calamai, Mrs. Pierro, 235–6

  Cape Ann, 137–8, 140–5, 165, 186–7, 192, 233, 243

  Chinigo, Michael, 236

  Claims, court, 329–30

  Coast Guard, 134–6, 210, 217, 230, 316, 318

  Campbell, 136, 245

  Evergreen, 136, 211, 234, 238, 240, 242

  hearings, 316

  Hornbeam, 136, 237–8, 240–2, 245

  Humboldt, 234

  Legare, 136, 240–1

  Owasco, 136, 240–1

  Tamaroa, 136, 240–1

  Yakutat, 136, 245

  Yeaton, 245

  Consolidated Edison (ConEd), 335

  Constitution, 316

  Conte Biancamano, 313

  Course Recorder

  Andrea Doria, 291–4

  Stockholm, 265–6, 290–1

  Cousteau, Jacques, 331

  Cristiforo Colombo, 24, 322

  Cunard Line, 321

  Daikoku Maru, 318

  Deep sea diving, 331

  DeLucci, Chris, 333–4

  Doria, Admiral Andrea, 22

  Davis Shoal, 106

  Duilio, 105

  Erdman, Roger, 237

  Failla, S. Charles, 137–8, 143, 186

  Fog, 13, 14, 25–6, 28, 32, 61, 67, 133, 141, 154, 187, 200, 259–61

  Fox, Joseph, 323

  Fortune, 318

  Gallo, Armando, 203

  Galveston, Texas, 318

  Genoa, 23, 24, 235

  George Washington, 319–20

  Gerard, Tim, 336

  Gibraltar, 24

  Gimbel, Peter, 323, 330–2, 334–6

  Gino, 318

  Grace Line, 314

  Great Circle Route, 17

  Greene, Raymond T., 262

  Gripsholm, 303–4, 322

  Guillou, Jean Pierre, 203

  Haight, Charles S., 254–6, 262, 274–288

  Hinrichs, Hans, 218, 227

  Hopkins, Robert E., 139, 223, 233

  Ile France, 139–44, 198–202, 217, 220, 227–8, 233, 322, 336

  Independence, 322

  International Conference for Safety of Life at Sea, 97, 142, 304–8, 317

  Italian Line, 242, 244, 247, 249–50, 275, 280, 297, 325, 329

  Jalanta, 316

  Kelley, Sgt. Jonah E., 134, 234

  Kingsville, 316

  Kleinman, Larry, 335

  Kungsholm, 322

  La Belle, Captain James W., 316

  Life magazine, 330–1

  Lifeboats, 206–10, 222

  Andrea Doria, 103–4, 155, 157–60, 175–181, 183–4, 203–4, 207, 215, 224, 239, 242, 245

  Cape Ann, 187

  Ile de France, 201–2, 217, 227

  Stockholm, 154–5, 185–6, 188–94, 202, 232

  Thomas, 188

  Lionne, Norwegian freighter, 138

  Lloyd’s of London, 247, 308–9

  Log Books, 275–9

  Loudspeakers

  Andrea Doria, 103–5, 124, 170, 192

  Stockholm, 154–6

  Maersk, Laura, Danish freighter, 234

  Matteson, Leonard T., 262, 268

  Merchant, George, 332

  Miya Maru, 318

  Mona Lisa, 318

  Monitor, 326

  Morse, Denny, 332

  “Mother,” 333–9

  “The Mystery of the Andrea Doria,” 335

  Nantucket Lightship, 16–7, 25, 32, 36, 42, 44–5, 48, 51, 66–8, 141, 312

  Naples, 24

  Nissho Maru, 319–20

  Nordenson, Captain H. Gunnar, 312–18

  Normandie, 327

  Ocean Victory, 118

  Parker, Lt. Harold W., 135–6

  Pollack Rip Lightship, 46, 48

  Preston, Third Officer Robert, 138

  Pulitzer Prize, 247

  Queen Elizabeth 2, 321

  Radar, 304–6, 312–18

  Andrea Doria, 62–73, 133, 186, 274–5, 284–7

  schools, 316–7

  Stockholm, 48–54, 255, 263–4

  Ranger, 318

  Rodocker, Don, 333–4

  Rule, 317

  Rules of the Road, 52–3, 66, 72, 257, 267, 305, 313, 317

  Russian fishing ships, illegal, 333

  Salvage, 323–8

  Santa Rosa, 314–5

  Saturation System, 332

  Sepel, Lieutenant Commander George, 318

  Settlement, 297, 301–2

  Sharks, 332–4

  Siwik, Captain Frank, 314–5

  Special Masters in Court, 253

  Speed in fog, 15–6, 25–29, 267, 270–1, 280

  Stability

  Andrea Doria, 97–103, 129, 164–5, 211–3, 238–42, 281–3, 298–300

  Stockholm, 87, 90–92, 155

  Suits, court, 250–2

  Survivors, number of, 244–5

  Swedish American Line, 35–6, 242, 247, 249–50, 297, 322

  Tampa Bay, Florida, 318

  Tarantia, British freighter, 234

  Team Castor, 318

  Todd, Radioman Robroy A., 135

  Thomas, Pvt. William H., 139, 142, 165, 192, 221, 230, 233–4

  Tracks, 18–9, 141

  Trans-Atlantic Passenger Conference, 308–9

  Tung, C. Y., 322

  Underwood, Eugene, 254, 256–272, 274

  United States, 322

  U. S. District Court, 251, 328

&nbs
p; U. S. Navy, 319–20

  Valchem, 314–6

  Walsh, Judge Lawrence E., 253–4, 265, 283, 285, 302

  Xerox Corporation, 336

  About the Author

  Alvin Moscow worked as a journalist for the New York Times and the Associated Press, where he covered the court hearings that sought to determine the cause of the crash of two ocean liners, the Andrea Doria and the Stockholm—the subject of his critically acclaimed New York Times–bestselling book Collision Course. He has written and collaborated on fourteen other books, including The Rockefeller Inheritance, Merchants of Heroin, and autobiographies of Richard M. Nixon, Patricia Hearst, William S. Paley, and Harold Geneen. He currently lives in Nevada.

  All rights reserved, including without limitation the right to reproduce this ebook or any portion thereof in any form or by any means, whether electronic or mechanical, now known or hereinafter invented, without the express written permission of the publisher.

  Copyright © 1981 by Alvin Moscow

  Cover design by Mauricio Díaz

  ISBN: 978-1-5040-3150-9

  This edition published in 2016 by Open Road Integrated Media, Inc.

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