Archive for andrea doria
Another partial standing ovation followed. James Cameron and Bill Garzke returned to our table. People followed them, hoping for a quick chat or to give praise. I offered Cameron my compliments for his interesting talk:
“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)
[1] For information on the book, see
www.PieretteSimpson.com.
Filed under: Andrea Doria, Serving Our Seas, Survivor Stories | andrea doria, ASNE, Avatar, Bismarck, James Cameron, shipwreck survivor, shipwrecks, Titanic|3 Comments
The chairperson for the evening began her introduction of ASNE’s coveted guest:
…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)
[1] Details from Wikipedia.
Filed under: Andrea Doria, Serving Our Seas, Survivor Stories | andrea doria, Avatar, Bismarck, James Cameron, shipwreck survivors, shipwrecks, Titanic, William Garzke|No Comments
My friend Giuliano called me shortly after 9 p.m. on 2-3-10 to inform me that “my friend” James Cameron was appearing on the Larry King show. I told Giuliano that I was on a Teleseminar; but after two seconds of reflection, I said “Thanks. I gotta watch it!” realizing that my current priority was to reconnect with one of the world’s greatest geniuses.
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.
[1] William Garzke is the national chairman of the marine forensics panel SD-7 of The Society of Naval Architects and Marine Engineers.
[2] For a copy of the review, see www.pierettesimpson.com: “The Book”.
[3] For a copy of the report, contact Pierette@PieretteSimpson.com .
Filed under: Andrea Doria, Serving Our Seas, Survivor Stories, Uncategorized | andrea doria, ASNE, Avatar, Bismark, James Cameron, shipwreck survivors, shipwrecks, The Larry King Show, Titanic, William Garzke|3 Comments
A Link to the Andrea Doria
A producer from Rome who came to my home in Michigan for an interview observed, “It seems like everyone has a connection to the Andrea Doria.” In my authorial journey I have found this to be immensely true.
My gentleman Richard Haskin and I attended Detroit’s North American International Auto Show. So, where’s the link to the ship that brought me to America? The Chrysler brand. It is explained in chapter 12 , “Diving the Doria” in Alive in the Andrea Doria:
“One fascinating ‘casualty’ of the Andrea Doria sinking was a beautiful, one-of-a-kind automobile called the Norseman. This special prototype, with an unusual cantilevered roof and no side pillars, was designed by Chrysler and built by the Italian company Ghia. The estimated cost was $150,000 ( in $1956). It was on its way to New York on the Doria, in tenet for the 1957 auto show circuit. But sadly, it would never be seen by the public.”
The beautiful Norseman is now in a larger cargo hold: the Atlantic Ocean. If only its long, sleek design, a glimmer of beautiful models to come, had been an inspiration for 2010 models! Whatever happened to creativity at Chrysler—and a majority of American cars for that matter?
Filed under: Andrea Doria, Serving Our Seas | andrea doria, Chrysler, North American international auto show, shipwreck diving, the Chrysler Norseman|No Comments
The following excerpt is the ending to my short story in the Thank God I…book series. It expresses my gratitude for what I’ve learned from being part of the most calamitous collision at sea AND the greatest sea rescue in peacetime history.
~~~~~~~~~~~
• • •I am grateful for the catastrophe that taught me resilience, thereby bringing my life full circle: I am embracing heartily my Italian roots and reconnecting to my American family, creating new lifelines in the process. Being the author of one’s catastrophic experience can be a painful process, but the results are revealing and enlightening I realize that retelling the Andrea Doria story ran parallel to my inner struggle: when I felt weak, I buried it; as I grew stronger, I faced it, thus becoming its heroine. Do I still feel pain for my grandparents’ ultimate sacrifice of leaving their homeland, then forgoing me as a “daughter”? Certainly, but I surrender to its reality with more grace when my mother’s praise reminds me of the blessings: “Your grandparents would be so proud that your book vindicates your fellow Italians for the Andrea Doria tragedy.” Moreover, I’ve released the pain held within the series of abandonments, embracing new relationships with excitement.
Overall, I feel better prepared for treading on rough waters, grateful for having taken many lifeboats to transcendence. I’m confident that with future challenges, I will steadily climb another rope like the one that dangled along the side of the Ile de France, accepting another good fight in the miracle of life. Knowing that the Andrea Doria was my training ground for courage, I will gratefully say, “Thank God that traveling on the ill-fated liner steered me toward a life journey that I claim as my legend!”
Filed under: Andrea Doria, Serving Our Seas, Survivor Stories | andrea doria, gratitude, Ile de France, Thank God I...book series, the greatest sea rescue|1 Comment
Wow! I didn’t expect to get such a great review from an expert media person whose career involves media training. Thank you, Shawne Duperon!
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Author Pierette Simpson Lands a Coup on WGN Atlanta
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Author Pierette Simpson recently took my training and then here she is on WGN in Atlanta with a 5-minute story. Wow!
She did so much right! There was a constant flow between her and the reporter. She was easy to be with and she completely danced in the reporter questions.
Her sound bites and storytelling were compelling.
Great job!
The only thing to look out for? Don’t look in camera. At the beginning of the story she is looking directly in camera and she needs to be looking at the reporter.
Check her out here as she shares her Andrea Doria Survivor Account:
http://www.wgntv.com/news/middaynews/middayfix/wgntv-midday-fix-pierette-simpson-101209,0,1195878.story
Do you want to learn how to interview and have media clamoring to work with you? Check out my half day workshops that let you get your toes wet.
For seasoned pros it lets you hone in on your skills. If you don’t use it, you lose it.
Head here for the next ½ day in February 2010:
http://snipurl.com/t1l2u
Reprinted from “ShawneTV Guide,” a free ezine that generates amazing news stories and conversations. Subscribe and receive a free gift at www.shawnetv.com. © Copyright 2009 by Shawne Duperon, ShawneTV Inc.
Filed under: Andrea Doria, Serving Our Seas, Survivor Stories | Alive on the Andrea Doria, andrea doria, Shawne Duperon, WGN Television Midday News|No Comments
Dear Pierette:
The Marine Forensic Committee that I chair opened the Technical and Research Session of the Society of Naval Architects and Marine Engineers at its national meeting in Providence, Rhode Island. Our one-hour part of the program as certainly was successful as we filled up the 75-seat room and had people standing at the back and in the doorway. Phil Sims opened our session with a paper on the Decay of the Andrea Doria that had John Moyer and Steve Gatto as co-authors. Steve and John were unable to attend. The Society charges authors for attending meetings now due to the costs of meeting rooms in the Westin Hotel. Years ago things were different as authors went free. Times have certainly changed. Nonetheless, Phil did an excellent job of presenting the paper and attached is the current version of the Andrea Doria paper. I think you will find it interesting as there is a picture of Steve Gatto when he was much younger.
The rest of our session was also successful as there was a brief presentation of some research done on the SS Edmund Fitzgerald, followed by a presentation on the Guidelines for Investigating Shipwrecks that is being prepared by the Committee for possible publication in the near future.
I hope you will the attachment of interest and useful. Certainly the ship is decaying with the aluminum superstructure all but gone – a sacrificial anode that keeps the hull fairly intact. However, Phil Sims mentioned that in the visit to the wreck site this year, the bow is beginning to fall to the seabed as the hull now begins to decay. It is interesting to note that the HMHS Britannic in the Aegean Sea is in much better condition than the Andrea Doria even though that hull has been underwater for 93 years!
Bill Garzke
NB. Garzke is the chairman of the Marine forensic panel for the Society of Naval Architects and Marine Engineers
*Society of Naval Architects and Marine Engineers
Filed under: Serving Our Seas, Survivor Stories | andrea doria, John Moyer, shipwrecks, SNAME annual conference, Steve Gatto, The Decay of the Andrea Doria, William Garzke|No Comments
Deep sea diver, Tom Packer called me recently. I had written e-mails nudging him to share with me the details of his summer dives to the Grande Dame of the Sea.
As usual, Tom was as excited as a teenager getting his first new car—yet he has dived the Doria for 30 years! Time and expenses, couldn’t keep Tom and his other diving friends away from the Doria too long. In fact, they didn’t just take one excursion, but three in one summer. Tom explained in his usual gracious way, “It [3 trips] happened thanks to Joe and his regular crew for providing a spare fuel bladder and working on Gene Holmes’ boat HomeWrecker. They made several other modifications to the boat during the winter months.
The regular crew consisted of Joe Mazranni, Steve Gatto, Pat Rooney, and John Butler. On the first trip, Tom and Steve wanted to dive the bow, but it was extremely challenging due to an unusual currents from stern to bow and from the keel to the superstructure. Although it was a short excursion, a long decompression was pleasantly enhanced by 80° water inhabited by tropical fish: wahoo, mahi-mahi and hundreds of blue fin tuna.
Trip two yielded some memorable finds: artifacts such as cage lights, globe lights and bottles. Although the divers didn’t know their origin, they were quite pleased with these 15 or so pieces of history. Dinner on the dive boat was also exciting thanks to Steve’s amazing catch—a 4 ½ foot long mahi-mahi!
The third trip of the summer took place at the tail end of hurricane Bill. The divers knew something was amiss when they couldn’t even hang on to the dive line, being swirled about by forceful currents. They made the wise decision to leave the scene after only one dive.
Unfortunately, none of the dives to the “Mont Everest of the Deep”, as the treacherous site is called, yielded great photographs or video footage. “There were below average conditions for shooting pictures and video, but it was exciting, just to be back!” Tom and Steve’s last dive to the Doria was in 2006 for the 50th anniversary of the sinking.
Knowing these fervent shipwreck divers personally, I know that the lack of pictures and aborted dives are great excuses for a trip next summer. Tom summarized it with his youthful laugh, “It just fueled the fire for how much more we want to do. In fact, we’re all looking forward to next year. After all, were not getting younger, you know.”
I asked how him what is considered the average age limit, and his only response was, “I’ll know when the time’s up.” I wish my friends Tom and Steve many more safe expeditions in search of treasures from an era gone by.
Joe’s last name is spelled Mazranni, and he’s not the boat owner. You may want to say he organized the trips on his friend, Gene Holmes’ boat HomeWrecker. Also, I would suggest leaving out anything about the expenses, but that in addition to the fuel bladder, his regular crew made several other modifications to the boat during the winter months.
Filed under: Andrea Doria, Serving Our Seas, Survivor Stories | andrea doria, Mt. Everest of the Deep, shipwreck diving, Steve Gatto, Tom Packer|No Comments
My dear friends Germaine and Marge have a lovely cottage perched on a hill overlooking Lake Huron. They have their own private beach on this primitive, chilly body of water.
It’s so exciting to revisit the lake where I first learned how to swim. I vividly recall my great aunt Theresa teaching me the doggie paddle—and I actually believed this was swimming! Eventually, I taught myself how to really swim; but the most fun I had was cutting through the giant waves that washed up on some stormy water days. Aunt Theresa would have to coax me out of the water, even though I was shivering all over and my lips had turned blue from overexposure to the frigid temperatures.
Last weekend the air was too cool to feel like swimming. So my friends and I enjoyed great food and camaraderie, along with my dear companion, Richard.
During the two-hour ride home (complicated by hundreds of orange and white barrels lining the route), Richard reflected, “I really wish I could swim.” I was taken aback because I just assumed that my tall, masculine guy could at least somewhat swim. When I offered to teach him, he answered, “I really should take some formal classes for people who are water shy like me.”
The next day, I looked at the course description booklet for continuing education at a local college. Lo and behold, they had a course called “Swimming for Water Shy Adults”. What an excellent idea! Besides being fun, swimming is for safety. I believe that anyone who travels or plays in water should learn some basic skills.
I learned the peace of mind that people have during threatening water experiences—like that of the Andrea Doria. Survivors who I interviewed for my book, Alive on the Andrea Doria! often remarked how comforting it was knowing they could swim, or how frightful it was knowing they could not. If my life is ever in danger around water, I can be thankful that I earned my Red Cross life-saving certificate while in high school.
www.PieretteSimpson.com
Filed under: Andrea Doria, Serving Our Seas, Survivor Stories | andrea doria, Lake Huron, Red Cross life-saving card, swimming|No Comments
My friend and colleague, Bill Garzke, called me to share his excitement: on September 8 he is taking his maiden voyage on the Queen Mary II. Even though Bill works as a naval architect every day, he seems to feel the excitement of a young man (he’s in his 70s) going to sea.
On September 17, Bill will co-present with Australian diver Kevin Denlay a report on the Prince of Wales. He told me that Denlay has done several dives to the wreck, which lies between 132-230 feet below the surface off the coast of Malaysia. Bill explained that pilots are able to see the up side down wreck as they fly overhead since the water is so clear. The illustrious presentation will take place at London’s Lloyd’s Register for the joint Institute of Marine Engineers Science and Technology, and the Royal Institution of Naval Architects.
Since Bill is the chairman of the Marine forensics panel for SNAME (Society of Naval Architects and Marine Engineers) and consultant to James Cameron on the Titanic and Bismarck shipwrecks he’s well-qualified as special guest on September 17.
At 70-plus years, Bill is an inspiration for his insatiable desire to learn and share with humanity. My friend and I collaborate by giving presentations at naval colleges/academies about our technical report, “The Loss of the Andrea Doria.” We have taught each other much information from this collaboration. Bill is especially thankful that I can share the human element with him, and also that I want to understand the scientific aspects of the Andrea Doria-Stockholm collision. I’m very grateful for Bill’s technical explanations of the event.
I wish my friend much luck on his presentation and a ‘bon voyage’ on the Queen Mary II!
www.PieretteSimpson.com
Ps. if you have a cruise story or suggestions on safe, happy cruising, please visit the home page of my website for submission.
Filed under: Andrea Doria, Serving Our Seas, Survivor Stories | andrea doria, Lloyd's Register, Prince of Wales, Queen Mary II|No Comments
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