We divers who explore these wrecks consider ourselves the lucky ones. We plumb the depths in search of history and adventure. – Kevin F. McMurray
The Andrea Doria. An italian cruise liner built in the 1950’s for luxury trans-Atlantic travel. The largest and fastest of her time, she was named for the famous first 16th century admiral. Tragically, she sank off the coast of Nantucket just 3 ½ years after launching.
Sitting in more than 200 feet of water, she is considered the Mt. Everest of scuba diving. In the book, Deep Descent: Adventure and Death Diving the Andrea Doria, Kevin F. McMurray shares the stories and adventures of divers from around the world as they journey to see and experience this historic memory. Some would simply swim down and see this magnificent ship while others would enter her halls and, in some sense, travel back in time. McMurray also chronicles the human spirit that risks life to journey to the depths. These individuals were more than hobbyists as many also pioneered new equipment and techniques.
As we read tales like this, we ought to be in awe of the human spirit of adventure. Pioneers across time have explored new lands, the depths of the sea, and even space. Yet, I believe that many of us share that same sense of adventure and desire. We may not all experience the magnificent…or maybe we do…in the realms of our own lives.
We divers who explore these wrecks consider ourselves the lucky ones. We plumb the depths in search of history and adventure. – Kevin F. McMurray