On 25 July 1956, the Italian liner Andrea Doria and Swedish cruiser Stockholm collided off Nantucket on the New England coast. USS Edward H. Allen (DE 531) and USNS Private H. Thomas (AP 185) rescued over 200 passengers from Andrea Doria and transported them to New York. 1,600 passengers and crew were saved. 46 people lost their lives in the collision.
Long since repaired and renamed various times, Stockholm now steams as MS Athena.
Note: While in the Gulf of Aden in 2008, Athena was being attacked by pirates until a US Navy P-3 Orion thwarted the attack.
Via US Naval History and Heritage Command
Italian liner Andrea Doria as she sinks off Nantucket on the New England coast on 26 July 1956. Courtesy of the Life Magazine Collection.
Swedish cruise ship Stockholm after her collision with Italian liner Andrea Doria off Nantucket on the New England Coast, July 1956. Courtesy of the Life Magazine Collection.
USNS Private William H. Thomas (AP 185), undated. NHHC Photograph Collection, MSC Files.
USS Edward H. Allen (DE 531), in Casco Bay, Maine, 9 August 1945. National Archives photograph: 80-G-332953.
Swedish cruise ship Stockholm after her collision with Italian liner Andrea Doria off Nantucket on the New England Coast, July 1956. Courtesy of the Life Magazine Collection.
Captain John S. Shea of USNS Private William H. Thomas (AP 185) received the Italian Order of Merit of the Republic by Italian Ambassador to the US, Manlio Brosio. Shea received the medal for the part he and his crew played in the rescue of survivors from the Italian liner Andrea Doria which sank off Nantucket on the New England coast following her collision with MV Stockholm on 25 July 1956. Mrs. John Shea, wife of the Captain, admires the medal presented to him by the Italian Ambasssador, 21 February 1957. NHHC Photograph Collection, MSC Files.