ATHENA - 12 May 2011 (and back to 1956!)
Posted: Mon Jun 25, 2012 7:58 pmATHENA (5383304), Portugal, 16144gt, completed Gothenburg 2-1948
1948 STOCKHOLM - 60 VOLKERFREUNDSCHAFT - 85 VOLKER - 86 FRIDTJOF NANSEN -
93 ITALIA I - 93 ITALIA PRIMA - 00 VALTUR PRIMA - 03 CARIBE - 05 ATHENA
Visiting the Tyne on 12 May 2011.
Now this veteran liner, over 60 years old, was one that I wanted to see, mainly because of her infamy from an incident I recalled from my youth. Who could imagine she would still be afloat (albeit much rebuilt) decades after sustaining this considerable bow damage!?
This arose when, under her original identity as STOCKHOLM she collided with the Italian liner ANDREA DORIA on 25 July 1956, the Italian ship sinking the next day.
Now, I know I was only 10 years old when that incident occurred, and it was another four years and a bit before I developed my specific interest in ships but, just to show how memory plays tricks, it has always been my recollection that the ANDREA DORIA was on her maiden voyage when she sank. Not so! She had been completed in December 1952. Now I'll just have to keep scratching my head wondering where I originally gained that mistaken impression!!
Ron
1948 STOCKHOLM - 60 VOLKERFREUNDSCHAFT - 85 VOLKER - 86 FRIDTJOF NANSEN -
93 ITALIA I - 93 ITALIA PRIMA - 00 VALTUR PRIMA - 03 CARIBE - 05 ATHENA
Visiting the Tyne on 12 May 2011.
Now, I know I was only 10 years old when that incident occurred, and it was another four years and a bit before I developed my specific interest in ships but, just to show how memory plays tricks, it has always been my recollection that the ANDREA DORIA was on her maiden voyage when she sank. Not so! She had been completed in December 1952. Now I'll just have to keep scratching my head wondering where I originally gained that mistaken impression!!
Ron