The Loss of Andrea Doria—A Marine Forensic Analysis

The Andrea Doria shipwreck of 1956 is still of interest to naval architects and historians. It pertains to the most catastrophic and the most recent collision in history between two ocean liners. One of the most controversial aspects of the event involves the sinking of the Italian luxury liner (shown on her maiden voyage in Fig. 1). This report's main goal is to delve into the reasons for the sinking, which is surprisingly still controversial and debated. A New York Times article published only last year, called "From Death Ship to Cruise Ship"—referring to the Stockholm—attracted an editorial response from a Swedish coauthor of a book on the collision. Mr. Bruce Paulsen wrote: . . the ship never should have sunk; she did so because of a substantial design defect."After much research done by author-survivor Pierette Simpson, who was provided with substantial data from findings of marine experts in both Italy and the United States that included members of Panel SD-7, she conducted her own inquiry, along with dialogue with divers and crew members of the Andrea Doria. This paper presents definitive conclusions on the sinking based on information from Simpson and Italian naval architects familiar with the ship's design as well as insights on a marine forensics investigation by coauthor and Chairman of Panel SD-7 William Garzke.