Survivors Commemorate the 69th Anniversary of the Andrea Doria Sinking with New Exhibit

Survivors of the 1956 sinking of the luxurious Italian ocean liner Andrea Doria gathered to honor the tragic event during a poignant new exhibit at The Italian American Museum in Little Italy. The display features numerous artifacts retrieved from the ship, including personal belongings and historical relics.

Among the survivors was Pierette Dominica Simpson, who was just 9 years old when the collision occurred. She recounted the chaos: “I remember the loud noise, screams, tables flying, and people being thrown across the floor. Many believed we had hit an iceberg.” Simpson, now a historian, shared her experience of arriving in America to start anew, expressing gratitude for her survival.

The sinking Andrea Doria ocean liner. — Survivors of the deadly 1956 Andrea Doria sinking commemorated the anniversary at The Italian American Museum in Little Italy. Bettmann Archive

On July 25, 1956, the Andrea Doria departed Genoa, Italy, heading for New York City when it collided with the Stockholm in foggy conditions near Nantucket, Massachusetts. The collision resulted in 46 fatalities aboard the Doria, then Italy’s largest and fastest ship, and five deaths on the Stockholm.

Rescue efforts saved 1,660 of the 1,706 passengers, many of whom were children. Survivors, ranging in age from 69 to 92, shared mixed emotions of gratitude and sadness during the commemorative event.

Two women displaying a scrapbook with photos and newspaper clippings about the Andrea Doria survivors. — Four survivors, including women sharing memories, gathered at the museum where an exhibit was unveiled on the 69th anniversary of the disaster. William Farrington

Sofia Sena, who was immigrating to the US at age 20 when the crash happened, expressed her relief and happiness at being alive: “I’m so happy to be here.”

Another survivor, Delfina Cadoria, then 23, recounted her harrowing escape: “It was about 10 p.m., foggy, and we heard a loud cracking sound. I had to climb down a rope with my 6-month-old baby held by a sailor, and miraculously, we reached shore.”

Simpson shared her rescue: “I was tied by a rope and lowered into a lifeboat. I thought I was falling into the ocean because I couldn’t see, and I was separated from my grandparents under chaotic conditions.”

The exhibit showcases a collection of artifacts, including a brass steering bell, deck chairs, life preservers, fine china, and artworks—images of the ship’s legacy preserved for visitors.

“This exhibit symbolizes the value of life and the hope for a better future, especially for immigrants seeking new beginnings,” said curator Janine Coyne.