top of page

SS Andrea Doria FAQs

SS Andrea Doria
  • What was the Andrea Doria? Answer: The Andrea Doria was an Italian ocean liner that was in service from 1953 to 1956.

  • Where did the Andrea Doria sail to? Answer: The Andrea Doria sailed between Italy and the United States, with its final destination being New York City.

  • When did the Andrea Doria sink? Answer: The Andrea Doria sank on July 26, 1956, after colliding with the Swedish liner Stockholm the night before.

  • How many people were on board the Andrea Doria when it sank? Answer: There were approximately 1,706 passengers and crew members on board the Andrea Doria when it sank.

  • How many people died in the sinking of the Andrea Doria? Answer: 46 people died in the sinking of the Andrea Doria, 5 people died aboard the Stockholm in the collision.

  • What caused the collision between the Andrea Doria and the Stockholm? Answer: The cause of the collision between the Andrea Doria and the Stockholm was the result of several errors, ultimately leading to neither party accepting blame. More recently, research and analysis has been conducted with updated claims that the collision was caused by a navigational error on the part of the Stockholm's crew while using a new radar system.

  • What was the weather like on the night of the collision? Answer: The weather on the night of the collision was foggy with poor visibility, which contributed to the navigational error.

  • How long did it take for the Andrea Doria to sink after the collision? Answer: The Andrea Doria remained afloat for approximately 11 hours after the collision, allowing for all that survived the collision, both passengers and crew, to be rescued.

  • How did the rescue efforts take place? Answer: The rescue efforts were coordinated by the United States Coast Guard and involved a variety of ships and aircraft. Most of those rescued were welcomed by the well-equipped SS Ile de France.

  • What was the impact of the sinking of the Andrea Doria on the shipping industry? Answer: The sinking of the Andrea Doria led to increased safety regulations in the shipping industry, particularly around the use of radar and navigational equipment.

  • What was the name of the captain of the Andrea Doria? Answer: The captain of the Andrea Doria was Piero Calamai.

  • How long did it take to build the Andrea Doria? Answer: The Andrea Doria took approximately 3 years to build, from 1950 to 1953.

  • How deep is the wreck of the Andrea Doria? Answer: The wreck of the Andrea Doria is located at a depth of approximately 240 feet (73 meters) off the coast of Nantucket, Massachusetts.

  • How many lifeboats were on the Andrea Doria? Answer: The Andrea Doria was equipped with enough lifeboats to accommodate all of its passengers and crew.

  • Were there any survivors from the Andrea Doria's crew? Answer: Yes, most crew members survived the sinking of the Andrea Doria.

  • What was the name of the first ship to respond to the Andrea Doria's distress signal? Answer: The first ship to respond to the Andrea Doria's distress signal was the SS Ile de France.

  • What was the cause of the Andrea Doria's sinking? Answer: The Andrea Doria sank as a result of the damage sustained in the collision with the Stockholm.

  • How long did it take for the Andrea Doria to sink after the collision? Answer: The Andrea Doria sank approximately 11 hours after the collision.

  • What was the cargo of the Andrea Doria? Answer: The Andrea Doria carried a variety of cargo, including Italian artwork and luxury goods.

  • Was the Andrea Doria considered a luxury liner? Answer: Yes, the Andrea Doria was considered a luxury liner, known for its elegant decor and amenities.

  • What was the maximum speed of the Andrea Doria? Answer: The maximum speed of the Andrea Doria was 23 knots (about 26 miles per hour).

  • How many decks did the Andrea Doria have? Answer: The Andrea Doria had 10 decks, including 6 passenger decks.

  • Was the Andrea Doria involved in any previous accidents or incidents? Answer: No, the Andrea Doria had not been involved in any major accidents or incidents prior to the collision with the Stockholm.

  • What was the name of the shipping line that operated the Andrea Doria? Answer: The Andrea Doria was operated by the Italian Line.

  • How long was the Andrea Doria in service? Answer: The Andrea Doria was in service for just over 3 years, from 1953 to 1956.

  • Did any famous people travel on the Andrea Doria? Answer: Yes, the Andrea Doria was a popular mode of transportation for celebrities and high-profile individuals, including movie stars and politicians.

  • Were there any children on board the Andrea Doria? Answer: Yes, there were several children on board the Andrea Doria, including some who were traveling with their families.

  • What was the national origin of the majority of the passengers and crew on the Andrea Doria? Answer: The majority of the passengers and crew on the Andrea Doria were of Italian origin.

  • How many lifeboats were launched from the Andrea Doria before it sank? Answer: All of the starboard lifeboats on the Andrea Doria were launched before it sank, allowing for the majority of the passengers and crew to be rescued.

  • How long did it take for the Stockholm to sink after the collision? Answer: The Stockholm did not sink after the collision and was able to return to port for repairs.

  • Was the Andrea Doria ever salvaged? Answer: No, the Andrea Doria remains intact underwater. Portions of the Andrea Doria have been salvaged over the years, including artifacts and portions of the ship's hull.

  • What was the name of the documentary film that explored the sinking of the Andrea Doria? Answer: The documentary film was called "Andrea Doria: Dive to an Era".

  • Were any changes made to the Stockholm following the collision? Answer: Yes, the Stockholm underwent repairs and modifications following the collision, including the addition of a new bow.

  • Has anyone ever explored the wreck of the Andrea Doria? Answer: Yes, the wreck of the Andrea Doria has been explored by numerous divers and underwater explorers over the years.

  • What caused the collision between the Andrea Doria and the Stockholm? Answer: The exact cause of the collision between the Andrea Doria and the Stockholm is still debated, but it is believed to have been due to a combination of factors including human error, miscommunication, and fog.

  • How many people died in the sinking of the Andrea Doria? Answer: 46 people died in the sinking of the Andrea Doria, including passengers and crew members.

  • What was the length of the Andrea Doria? Answer: The length of the Andrea Doria was 213 meters (701 feet).

  • Did the Andrea Doria have any sister ships? Answer: Yes, the Andrea Doria had a sister ship called the SS Cristoforo Colombo.

  • Was the Andrea Doria the largest ship of its time? Answer: No, the Andrea Doria was not the largest ship of its time, but it was considered one of the most luxurious and beautiful.

  • What was the destination of the Andrea Doria on its final voyage? Answer: The destination of the Andrea Doria on its final voyage was headed to New York City.

  • How many survivors were there from the sinking of the Andrea Doria? Answer: There were 1,660 survivors from the sinking of the Andrea Doria.

  • Were any of the crew members held responsible for the collision with the Stockholm? Answer: No crew members were held responsible for the collision with the Stockholm, as it was determined to have been an accident.

  • Did the Andrea Doria have any onboard entertainment options? Answer: Yes, the Andrea Doria had a variety of onboard entertainment options including a theater, ballroom, and sports deck.

  • How long did it take for the Andrea Doria to sink after the collision? Answer: The Andrea Doria took approximately 11 hours to sink after the collision.

  • Did any notable artists or designers work on the Andrea Doria? Answer: Yes, several notable artists and designers worked on the Andrea Doria, including Gio Ponti and Piero Fornasetti.

  • Was the Andrea Doria ever featured in any films or television shows? Answer: Yes, the Andrea Doria has been featured in several films and television shows, including the 2012 television series "Mysteries at the Museum."

  • Did any famous or notable people travel on the Andrea Doria? Answer: Yes, several famous and notable people traveled on the Andrea Doria, including author Ernest Hemingway and actor Ruth Roman.

  • What was the maximum speed of the Andrea Doria? Answer: The maximum speed of the Andrea Doria was around 23 knots (approximately 26 miles per hour).

  • How many lifeboats were onboard the Andrea Doria? Answer: The Andrea Doria had a total of 16 lifeboats, which could accommodate everyone aboard.

  • What was the capacity of the Andrea Doria? Answer: The Andrea Doria had a passenger capacity of around 1,240 people, as well as a crew of around 560.

  • Was the Andrea Doria ever involved in any accidents before the collision with the Stockholm? Answer: Yes, the Andrea Doria was involved in a minor collision with a rogue wave, but no one was injured and the ship was able to continue on its voyage.

  • Did the Andrea Doria have any first-class accommodations? Answer: Yes, the Andrea Doria had several first-class accommodations including suites, staterooms, and a first-class lounge.

  • How many people were onboard the Andrea Doria at the time of the collision? Answer: There were a total of around 1,706 people onboard the Andrea Doria at the time of the collision.

  • Did any pets travel on the Andrea Doria? Answer: Yes, several pets including dogs and cats traveled onboard the Andrea Doria.

  • Was the Andrea Doria a popular ship for travelers? Answer: Yes, the Andrea Doria was a popular ship for travelers due to its luxurious amenities and reputation for safety.

  • Did any crew members display acts of heroism during the sinking of the Andrea Doria? Answer: Yes, several crew members displayed acts of heroism during the sinking of the Andrea Doria, including the ship's captain, Piero Calamai who was reluctant to leave the ship even after it had been fully evacuated.

  • What was the length of the Andrea Doria's career before it sank? Answer: The Andrea Doria's career spanned approximately 3 years before it sank.

  • How many compartments did the Andrea Doria have? Answer: The Andrea Doria had a total of 11 watertight compartments.

bottom of page