The debate about the cause of collision between the Andrea Doria and the Stockholm has been going on since the crash took place in 1956. And even now there are some who disagree with the accepted premise that the Stockholm committed the fatal error that resulted in the collision. What we know for sure is that the Andrea Doria left its home port in Genoa, made several stops, and was nearing New York, its final destination. The Stockholm left New York on its way to Gothenburg, Sweden. The two ships collided about 40 miles southwest of Nantucket and about 110 miles east of Montauk point. At that time there were established sea lanes — meant to keep ships out of each other’s way in this very busy area — but the Stockholm was initially heading north of its prescribed lane in order to help it make good time.
Neither ship knew exactly where the other was and at the last minute Carstons ordered his helm to go to the starboard (or the right) and the Doria went to the port (or the left) both thinking that they were opening up the distance between the two ships, when in reality it hastened the collision. There were a lot of mistakes made on both sides that resulted in the terrible accident.
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