ATHENA - 12 May 2011 (and back to 1956!)

[teesships]

ATHENA (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

[teesships]

The ATHENA was renamed AZORES during September 2013.

Somewhat surprisingly, according to a leaflet received this morning, she is joining the Cruise & Maritime fleet from 2015, replacing the DISCOVERY (see: viewtopic.php?f=57&t=13520) which has not stayed with them for very long. The AZORES will then be 67 years afloat!

She will run alongside the MARCO POLO (see: viewtopic.php?f=11&t=13021) and the ASTOR (1987 IMO 8506373).

Ron

[teesships]

The cruise calendar for the AZORES (https://www.cruiseandmaritime.com/ship/azores/calendar) includes five sailings from Hull during June and July 2015.

Ron

[teesships]

As AZORES see: viewtopic.php?f=11&t=14485

R.

[teesships]

To be renamed ASTORIA later this year.
See: https://www.cruiseandmaritime.com/ship/astoria

Ron

[teesships]

Per Equasis: ASTORIA (since 01/03/2016) - Portugal (MAR) flag

Ron

[teesships]

As ASTORIA see also: viewtopic.php?f=57&t=26785

R.

[Tynesider]

A very sad day for many people

Anrea Doria the following morning was hit below the bridge wing

Stockholm_following_Andrea_Doria_collision.jpg (28.55 KiB) Viewed 4922 times

[teesships]

Another view from the Tyne - 12 May 2011:

Ron