Archive for pierette simpson
Today, a technical paper that I co-authored with naval architect and friend, William Garzke, goes to publication. This is a proud moment for me. It is an opportunity to help humanity—specifically in contributing to passenger safety on our seas. This introduction explains our topic and the purpose for having written about it.
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The Loss of Andrea Doria
A Marine Forensic Analysis
by
William H. Garzke, Jr. and Pierette Domenica Simpson
ABSTRACT The Andrea Doria shipwreck of 1956 is still of interest to naval architects and historians. It pertains to the most catastrophic and the most recent collision in history between two ocean liners. One of the most controversial aspects of the event involves the sinking of the Italian luxury liner. This report’s main goal is to delve into the reasons for the sinking, which is surprisingly still controversial and debated. A New York Times article published only last year, called “From Death Ship to Cruise Ship”—referring to the Stockholm—attracted an editorial response from a Swedish co-author of a book on the collision. Mr. Bruce Paulsen wrote: “…the ship never should have sunk; she did so because of a substantial design defect.”
After much research done by author-survivor Pierette Simpson, who was provided with substantial data from findings of marine experts in both Italy and the United States that included members of Panel SD-7, she conducted her own inquiry, along with dialogue with divers and crewmembers of the Andrea Doria. This paper presents definitive conclusions on the sinking based on information from Ms. Simpson and Italian naval architects familiar with the ship’s design as well as insights on a marine forensics investigation by co-author and Chairman of Panel SD-7 William Garzke.
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Our technical paper is being published in the Journal of Ship Production. Here’s the description I found on their website.
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“Original and timely technical papers addressing problems of shipyard techniques and production of merchant and naval ships appear in this quarterly publication. Since its inception, the Journal of Ship Production has been a forum for peer-reviewed, professionally edited papers from academic and industry sources. As such, it has influenced the worldwide development of ship production engineering as fully qualified professional discipline. Each issue contains a well-rounded selection of technical papers relevant to ship professionals, including written discussions and author’s closures.” |
The Journal is published by The Society of Naval Architects and Marine Engineers (SNAME) http://www.sname.org/SNAME/SNAME/Publications/JournalofShipProduction/Default.aspx
Filed under: Andrea Doria, Serving Our Seas | Alive in the Andrea Doria, andrea doria, naval architecture, panel SD-7, pierette simpson, shipwrecks, SNAME, Society of Naval Architects and Marine Engineers, Stockholm, William Garzke|No Comments
”Right of Passage”
First, let me explain the title Curious 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 50th 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.
Filed under: Andrea Doria, Serving Our Seas, Survivor Stories, Uncategorized | Alive on the Andrea Doria, pierette simpson|1 Comment
It’s always pleasant to receive a testimonial. This one is from my neighbor Marge who is an avid listener of audio books. In fact, I may not recognize her without her ear plugs on; she is a familiar sight in the neighborhood as she walks her dog and listens to her audio books daily.
Obviously, I was interested to know how my audio CD book of Alive on the Andrea Doria compares to others. This is what Marge wrote:
“The CD was a delight to listen to. I felt transported back in time onto the Andrea Doria. Pierette Simpson’s use of actual survivor voices made the stories more believable than reading them in print. I especially enjoyed the author’s replication of her childhood voice, and that of her grandmother’s in broken English, complete with an Italian accent. It authenticated the journey back to the past.”
I would love to hear what you think of my audio CD book. It includes six CDs and it is a lightly abridged version of my print block. I’m honored to include the voices of five other survivors; one is legendary songwriter Mike Stoller, who wrote for Elvis Presley.
The audio CD book of Alive on the Andrea Doria is available on www.Amazon.com, through booksellers, and on my website. www.PieretteSimpson.com
Filed under: Andrea Doria, Serving Our Seas, Survivor Stories, Uncategorized | Alive on the Andrea Doria, audio CD book, pierette simpson|No Comments
I’m grateful for all my readers on every corner of the globe. I celebrate with you another beautiful, safe holiday.
Buone Feste- Italian Frohe Weinachten! (German) = Merry Christmas Boas Festas!- Portuguese Feliz Navidad – Spanish Mele Kalikimaka- Hawaiian Wesołych Świąt – Polish Mandarin-Jia Jie U Kwai Arabic-Eid Sa’eed! Fijne feestdagen or Prettige feestdagen – Dutch Boldog Ünnepeket – Hungarian Bonnes Fêtes de fin d’année! Sarbatori Fericite! – romania
www.pierettesimpson.com
Filed under: Serving Our Seas | pierette simpson|No Comments
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