The SS Andrea Doria was a luxury transatlantic ocean liner operated by the Italian Line (Società di navigazione Italia), launched on June 16, 1951, and entering service in January 1953. Designed by Italian architect Giulio Minoletti, the vessel measured approximately 212 meters (695 ft 6 in) in length with a beam of 27 meters (88 ft 7 in) and a gross register tonnage of 29,100. Powered by steam turbines driving twin screws, Andrea Doria could achieve a service speed of 23 knots and a top speed of 26 knots, making her one of the fastest and most luxurious ships of her time. The ship featured a double hull with 11 watertight compartments, designed to enhance safety, though her tendency to list heavily in certain conditions was a known flaw. She accommodated around 1,200 passengers across three classes—first, cabin, and tourist—each with dedicated amenities, including separate dining rooms, lounges, promenades, and even outdoor pools, reflecting her reputation for luxury. Her crew numbered approximately 563. Built in Genoa at the Ansaldo Shipyard, Andrea Doria was also notable for her artistic decor, including artwork and a life-sized statue of Admiral Andrea Doria. On July 25, 1956, Andrea Doria was approaching Nantucket in thick fog when she collided with the Swedish passenger liner Stockholm. The collision inflicted severe damage, causing her to list over 20°, and flooding five of her watertight compartments. Despite the damage, she remained afloat for over 11 hours, thanks to her robust construction and the crew’s effective response, allowing for the rescue of 1,660 of her 1,706 passengers and crew. The disaster resulted in 46 fatalities and marked the worst maritime incident in U.S. waters since 1915. Andrea Doria ultimately capsized and sank at dawn on July 26, 1956, about 10 hours after the collision, becoming a significant symbol of maritime safety, technological challenge, and luxury travel of the 1950s. Her wreck, located near 40°29′N 69°51′W, has since become a renowned site for deep-sea divers, earning the moniker "The Everest of Wreck Diving" due to its depth and treacherous conditions.

This description has been generated using GPT-4.1-NANO based on the Vessel's wikidata information and then modified by ShipIndex.org staff.