First, let me explain the title Quizzical Connections.   Today is the first of a series of blog posts about my personal daily happenings. Before you think this will lead to the mundane, let me explain the impetus for these revelations:  I’ve been amazed at a curious pattern of almost daily surprises—curious because of the content and because of frequency.

So, here I go in sharing some juicy gossip, trivia, and soap opera content. Actually I’m just kidding. I’m going to be revealing all of the amazing connections that touch me  in perpetuam about the Andrea Doria.

Perhaps you’ll ask yourself as I do, “how can one ship, incurring one event have so many connections?” could this be about 6° of separation? I don’t think so; I’d like to think it’s about 2° of separation.

Yesterday, I attended a luncheon to celebrate International Women’s Day. I assumed it would simply be a fun networking event. But as usual, I ran into curious connections to the Andrea Doria. Sitting at my table was a lady who was anxious to share with me the fact that her godmother was on the Andrea Doria with me. When she told me her last name, Belluomo, I recognized it immediately; I had met her in the York at the 50^th  Andrea Doria survivors’ reunion. We immediately felt a bond.

Then came the real shocker! Guest, Teresa Carlson, who had been my teaching colleague several years ago, announced to the entire group of about 70 women her connection. “My father and the entire family had driven from Calabria to Napoli (Naples) to board the Andrea Doria, in July of 1956. It was a long ride. When we got to Naples, Andrea Doria officials asked him to give up his cabin to a young girl who was immigrating to America to meet her mother and needed to be accompanied by her grandparents.” The audience whispered “oh my God!” in anticipation of what she would say next.

“My father was angry, very angry, but gave up his cabin. When Pierette and I were teaching together, I looked up the cabin information, and confirmed that the little girl, who would have the right of passage to America, was Pierette.” At this point, the audience oood and ahhhd. The news brought tears—mixed tears. After all, Teresa’s father was spared a cruel ordeal because of his generosity. Yet, my grandparents and I barely made it to the New World.

What will be my next amazing connection? Personally, I can’t wait to find out.

We are looking for the whereabouts of the remaining lifeboats from the Andrea Doria. I have heard that one may be in a museum in Florida.

Would you have information or even a rumor about where I might find one of these lifeboats?

Any help appreciated.”

If anyone has any information for Philip Porteus, would you please contact me? Thank you!

www.PieretteSimpson.com or www.AndreaDoriabook.com

I must add that last night’s news of the cruise ship carrying 2000 people on the Mediterranean Sea were hit by 60 mph winds and exceptionally high waves, makes this book even more current and compelling.  The headline read: “Two people have been killed and six injured as giant waves slammed into a cruise ship in the Mediterranean.”  

Shocking truth is often more frightening than horror fiction.

The review: 

              — Roland Green

“Time Takes Its Toll”

Tony Gramer, a distinguished looking gentleman, appeared on the stage at the  Washtenaw Community College Campus. It was February 27, 2010; the occasion, The Great Lake Ship Festival sponsored by the Ford Seahorses  dive club.

Mr. Gramer began with a philosophical statement; “divers praying a piece of history to us, along with adventure and science. We must keep the sport alive.” Then he announced his presentation, The Philadelphia Story, Time Takes Its Toll. Tony, as he likes to be called, showed compelling video footage that he took with diving buddies as they explored a mass in Lake Huron—the cargo ship Philadelphia. It was evident at this point, how time does take its toll, even on well preserved shipwrecks in the Great Lakes. Nearly the entire hall had been taken over by zebra mussels.

Of course, the collision between the cargo ship Philadelphia and the steamship Albany, happened in November of 1893. Fortunately, courageous shipwreck divers are willing to use cameras and other technology to bring us a historical perspective of a treasured entombed by crustaceans.

Tony explained the tragedy. “There was dense fog.  It appears that both ships were going at a fast clip. The Philadelphia sounded its foghorn at the Albany did not return the signal. The collision sank both ships. Both  Captain survived and were found at fault. 24 men from Buffalo, New York, died, and 23 made it to shore.” Tony’s theory, which he seems to have investigated thoroughly, is that the casualties were struck by another ship in lifeboat number two. After all, the area of Harbor Beach Michigan, is and was frequented by many ships.

Both the Philadelphia and the Albany sank in 124 feet of water on a foggy morning in November.

Tony did an excellent job in demonstrating how diving is essential in determining the collision, damage, sinking, and the human elements of a shipwreck.

• Pack extra soap, a supply of Lysol, alcohol-based sanitizers like Purell and a bottle of Pepto-Bismol, just in case.
• Wash up every time you eat, smoke, touch your face, use the bathroom or just have dirty hands.
• Avoid uncooked food as much as possible, stick to bottled water and don’t share drinking glasses and eating utensils.
• Limit physical contact with other passengers.
• If you do get sick on the cruise, visit the ship’s doctor and drink plenty of water as dehydration is a common side-effect.
• Remain quarantined in your cabin to prevent spreading the illness to others.
• Use hand-sanitizers located throughout the ship.
• Be a patient patient: expect to wait three or more days before symptoms subside—and another couple of days before you recover.

 Although not health-related, this will perk you up: expect to get some reimbursement or gift certificate toward another trip. 

 Do you have any other suggestions?

www.PieretteSimpson.com

This was one of those moments that I had to be strong and not dwell on what ifs—even if I had never spoken to a crowd of 600 people before! I answered affirmatively, saying I was glad to be available and to help out The Downriver Town Hall Lecture Series (Southgate, Michigan). They have a long-standing reputation for doing a great job by pulling in well-known speakers. I figured, even if I didn’t live up to Ms. Thompson’s standards, they would still appreciate me for doing them a favor.

Pulling up to the Crystal Gardens Banquet Center was a surreal experience: my name was flashing on the huge neon sign in a hot pink on Fort Road. I almost put my brakes on! Then, as I was carting in boxes of books into the lobby, a lovely elderly lady said, “I know this is going to be a great program! I remember when the Andrea Doria sank.”  She didn’t know it, but she broke the ice for me. I realized that I wasn’t going to get a chilly reception because I wasn’t Anne Thompson.

I’ve always admired Ms. Thompson for her professionalism; I also know she’s a survivor like me—just different battles: 9/11 and breast cancer.  Of the latter, she explained:

“Chemo also took all the cancer. My hair, as you can see has come back, and my desire to report is as strong as ever.”

That’s what I call a steadfast professional!

 I had big shoes to fill on Thursday morning. But the warm welcome by several ladies on a mission to put on an event for the community put me at ease.

Mary Jarosz, event planner extraordinaire, introduced me and my topic: A Nostalgic Journey: The Andrea Doria’s Last Crossing. For an hour, I gave it my all, and it appeared that all were giving me their attention. The audience of 600 did not seem so impersonal after all, as they warmly clapped at the end. Their gracious comments at the book signing table provided me the feedback I was hoping for:

“You are the best speaker I’ve ever heard! —You look like Sophia Loren! —You enthralled me! — What a story! — Can you come and speak to my group?”

 These words were music to my ears. After lunch, the audience of 400 had many good questions.  I could tell that they had followed every word I had said during the lecture. (37 years of teaching gives me that skill!)

Thursday evening I watched Ms. Thompson report on Bill Clinton’s medical condition outside of a New York hospital. Fate had placed us where we were both meant to be.

“I never thought I could be so fascinated by a sunken battleship story. It was a great presentation.”

I know how valuable it is to receive feedback after my speaking engagements on the Andrea Doria. Cameron seemed to relish in everyone’s positive comments as if he had heard these words for the first time. It was another way to share the message that he appreciated our interest in his work. People continued to flock at his side. I took this opportunity to chat with a couple of distinguished marine engineers. One had been to the Andrea Doria ‘gravesite’ on July 26, 1956. He explained almost apologetically that with other Coast Guard cadets, he was ordered to shoot holes into the lifeboats that were still afloat. “We used them for target practice,” he quipped. “They were considered a danger to navigation.”

I peeked over to what had become an autograph session. A gentleman saw that I was anxious to offer my book to the famous film maker. He gave me his place in line and I actually dared to take a seat facing James Cameron. I handed him my book, Alive on the Andrea Doria! The Greatest Sea Rescue in History.[1] Inside I had written a lengthy dedication. Cameron looked at the cover with great interest as I told him that I would love the opportunity to see this shipwreck on the seafloor for myself; that it would allow me the chance to make peace with the cadaver that was once a luxury liner.

            “Do you think Elwood would like to explore the Andrea Doria?” I boldly asked.

Cameron, the explorer-humanitarian understood my need, having offered this kind of therapy to the Bismarck survivors.

“Since the wreck is only at 250 feet, I think it’s feasible. I would let you navigate him from the surface…but I need to know that there is scientific value for using this approach, as opposed to what is already being done.”

I heartily assured him that I would do my research on that.

The evening offered precious moments in my life as a shipwreck survivor and author. Moreover, speaking to James Cameron felt like I had climbed a mountain top, even though we were discussing the bottom of the planet.

Speaking of planets, Cameron is a member of the NASA Advisory Council and is working on the project to get cameras on the pending manned Mars mission. I hope the marine world doesn’t lose one of its most ardent researchers to another part of the universe.

N.B. Bill Garzke told with me later that Cameron shared his delight for receiving an honorary induction into ASNE. As the two men descended the stage, the outstanding film maker beamed,

            “My Dad will be very proud of me.”

Cameron’s father is an engineer.

 (Conclusion of article)

…He studied physics and English at California State University. Later, he discontinued his studies and worked several jobs such as machinist and truck driver and wrote when he had time. Mr. Cameron taught himself special effects…. After seeing the film Star Wars in 1977, Cameron quit his job as a truck driver to enter the film industry.^[4] When Cameron read the book Screenplay, it occurred to him that integrating science and art were possible and he wrote a ten minute science fiction script with two friends, entitled Xenogenesis. They raised money and rented a camera, lenses, the film stocks, and studio and shot it in 35mm. To understand how to operate the camera, they dismantled it and spent the first half-day of the shoot trying to figure out how to get it running. [1]

How admirable, I thought—and a genius too! After the chairperson enumerated his successful movies: The Terminator and Terminator 2, Rambo, Abyss, Alien, True Lies,  she emphasized his most grandiose accomplishment, Titanic.

“He wrote and directed the film Titanic, which earned 11 Academy Awards and grossed over $1.8 billion worldwide. To date, his directorial efforts have grossed approximately $3 billion.”

And now he is striving for a repeat performance with the upcoming Bismarck. As with Titanic, Cameron will rely only partially on his consultants for information. He has already explored the wreck at 15,000 feet below the water surface in a submersible and brought back priceless data of the World War II battleship sunk by British forces. Moreover, on the 2002 expedition he brought along two survivors of the German battleship who survived the carnage, but wanted to make peace with the tragedy.

The audience sat mesmerized while viewing a 40-minute video of Cameron’s photographic examination of the Bismarck. He discussed the results of his extensive survey which resulted in scientific conclusions about the battle between the British and the Germans, the damage which sank the German battleship, the damaging drop on a mountainous seafloor, and the condition of the current wreck. In his signature Cameron style, he emphasized the relationship between humanity and technology. As we viewed the last clips of this rare footage, Cameron explained:

“Although I have a fascination with geeky technology and exploration, I’m showing you the boots, the leather bags, and personal articles so that we never forget what this disaster is about: the human tragedy…I have an 18-year-old son who is older than some of the young men who perished…this tragedy brings the message close to home…”

The fluid, engaging speaker explained that he obtained some of the film footage with his trusted robotic camera (ROV), fondly named Elwood, and that he has personally logged 3,000 hours as a shipwreck diver. It is no wonder that he has made outstanding contributions to marine science and maritime archeology as part of his film making. As he finished his talk, the audience swiftly stood up to applaud his work and brilliant documentation.

The presentation was followed by a question and answer segment. Cameron answered each question thoroughly, as if each one mattered. Bill Garzke, his right-hand man on the Bismarck research, joined him on stage to answer questions about Titanic and Bismarck survivors. Bill has spent decades interviewing Bismarck survivors and analyzing the testimony of Titanic survivors; he believes that by using eyewitness accounts in conjunction with scientific findings, the public will have a better understanding of shipwreck events.

(To be continued)

I sat mesmerized in front of the TV as I watched Cameron, two of his major technical assistants, and some actors being interviewed about their role in “AVATAR”. Watching Jim speak reminded me of the evening I met him in Washington, DC a year and a half ago.  It will always be one of the most exciting and memorable events of my life: “The James Cameron Event” explained in the article below. In fact, I tell my friends that the opportunity to meet the man, felt like I had reached the top of Mount Everest.

  This is the first part of the article. I will blog two more times to share its entirety.

 A NIGHT TO REMEMBER

                    An Evening with James Cameron

                    Washington D.C., June 24, 2008

 Thank God I didn’t have to re-live another shipwreck, like the Andrea Doria, to feel a close connection with the 1997 movie, Titanic. As a guest at the American Society of Naval Engineers (ASNE) dinner, Titanic’s Academy Award winning director sat one seat away from me. James Cameron was about to present his talk, ‘Undersea Exploration of the DKM Bismarck.’

 I was introduced to the tall, stately looking gentleman by my friend William Garzke[1], one of Cameron’s chief consultants for his presentation on the Bismarck.

 “This is Pierette Simpson. She is a survivor of the Andrea Doria and has recently written an excellent book on the loss of this ship.”[2]

 The silver-haired gentleman extended his hand to me and graciously exclaimed, “You must have been very young.”

  I clumsily replied, “Probably not as young as you many think…but thank you for the compliment.” Shaking hands, I immediately I felt a warm connection to the film giant.

 Bill Garzke continued to explain: “I reviewed Pierette’s book for the Society of Naval Architects and Marine Engineers. We also collaborated on a report called ‘The Loss of the Andrea Doria’, which we presented in New York last week.”[3]

  I felt great pride being accepted by these legendary shipwreck experts. Immodestly, I added that Bill was my mentor and in collaboration we had become authorities on the Andrea Doria tragedy. Then, quickly, before someone else could intervene on what seemed to be a magical moment, I introduced Cameron to my companion, Richard Haskin. I was impressed that the special guest walked over to Richard to shake his hand; he could have more efficiently extended his hand across a few people. Immediately, Cameron became the consummate gentleman and scholar in my mind. These precious moments set the tone to what would turn out to be a night to remember.

 My friend Bill had helped to organize the evening’s event for the American Society of Naval Engineers (ASNE). Little did I know that Richard and I would sit at the ‘Reserved’ table, front and center, with Cameron and his three main consultants for the Bismarck presentation. After meeting all the distinguished scientists, I had a feeling that maybe I shouldn’t be drinking wine, for fear of losing coherence. I took a small sip anyway, hoping to put me more at ease.

[2] For a copy of the review, see www.pierettesimpson.com: “The Book”.  

[3] For a copy of the report, contact Pierette@PieretteSimpson.com .