1960 — Oct 22, SS Alcoa Corsair (10) & MV Lorenzo Marcello collide, mouth of MS Riv. LA–10

–10 Bonsall. Great Shipwrecks of the 20th Century. 1988, p. 184.
–10 USCG. Commandant’s Action…collision…Alcoa Corsair…Lorenzo Marcello…, 1961.
–09 SeaWaves. “Today in History,” October 22, 2008.

Narrative Information

SeaWaves: “Early in the morning, SS Alcoa Corsair and SS Lorenzo Marcello collided near the mouth of the Mississippi River. Although the Lorenzo Marcello suffered no casualties and could proceed to New Orleans, Alcoa Corsair had 8 fatalities, 9 injured, and 1 missing, besides being forced to beach because of severe damages. A Coast Guard Helicopter removed 4 of the critically injured crewmen, while Coast Guard boats and other craft ferried the remaining ones ashore to waiting ambulances.” (SeaWaves. “Today in History, October 22, 2008.”)

USCG: “Commandant’s Action on Marine Board of Investigation; collision between the SS Alcoa Corsair and MV Lorenzo Marcello (Italian), Mississippi River on 22 October 1960 with loss of life.

“1. The record of the Marine Board of Investigation convened to investigate subject casualty together with its Findings of Fact, Opinions and Recommendations has been reviewed.

“2. At 0416 CST, 22 October 1960 on a clear dark night the combination passenger-dry cargo vessel SS Alcoa Corsair of United States registry collided in a meeting situation with the Italian freight vessel SS Lorenzo Marcello in the lower Mississippi River at Mile 32 APH in the vicinity of Tropical Bend Upper Light (ACLL 6933).

“3. Approaching Tropical Bend Upper Light from New Orleans the axis of the river changes from about 095⁰T at Mile 35 to 190⁰T at Mile 33 as it rounds Sixty Mile Point. From there to Mile 32 the river runs fairly straight, then begins a gradual left turn which continues for several miles.

“4. The Alcoa Corsair was en route New Orleans to San Juan, Puerto Rico with 51 passengers, 99 crew members and 1,535 tons of dry cargo. Her speed over the bottom with a ½ know following current was estimated to be 18 knots. Approaching Sixty Mile Point the lights of the Lorenzo Marcello were first observed down river across the point. Rounding Sixty Mile Point the Marcello came into view over the water. At 0412 while still swinging right and passing a heading of about 190⁰T the green side light of the Marcello was observed ahead. The distance off was established to be two miles by radar. After a minute and a half during which time the bearing of the Marcello did not change appreciably and the green light continued to be visible, a two-blast signal was heard from the Marcello. The Alcoa Corsair’s rudder was ordered left 10 degrees and the two-blast signal was answered. The Alcoa Corsair’s right turn carried through to a heading of 205.5⁰T before she started to swing left. Shortly after the order for 10⁰ left rudder, the order was given for 20⁰ left. The Lorenzo Marcello was nearly dead ahead still showing a green light. At about 0415 with the two vessels approximately ½ mile apart a danger signal was heard from the Lorenzo Marcello and was promptly answered. At the same time the Marcello was observed swinging to her own right. The Corsair continued left at full speed and 0416 the bow of the Lorenzo Marcello struck the Alcoa Corsair at about a 35⁰ angle on the starboard side between No. 2 and No. 3 holds.

“5. The Lorenzo Marcello, en route from Houston, Texas, to New Orleans with 4,500 tons of general cargo was upbound in the Mississippi River making 13.5 knows over the bottom steaming a one-half knot current….

“6. The two vessels separated shortly after the collision, The Alcoa Corsair was beached on the left descending bank and the Lorenzo Marcello anchored upriver of the scene.

“7. As a result of the collision five passengers and five crew members were killed, six passengers and four crew members were no deaths on injuries aboard the Lorenzo Marcello.

Remarks

“….2. It is considered that the primary cause of this casualty was the failure of both vessels to navigate with caution. The initial failure on the part of the Alcoa Corsair to make a timely and sufficient alteration of course to port to insure a safe starboard to starboard passing as agreed upon was a major factor in the case. Her subsequent failure to recognize the dangerous situation developing and resultant failure to take timely measures to avoid or minimize the effects of the collision also contributed.

“3. The Lorenzo Marcello similarly failed to recognize the increasing danger of the situation which should have been apparent and had she done so the fatal decision to turn toward the track of the Alcoa Corsair might have been avoided.

“4. It is further considered that the responsibility for this casualty rests solely with the pilots of the two vessels. The situation was more than just a case of meeting vessels but one of vessels meeting in a river where a knowledge of local conditions and customs dictated the need for the special qualifications of a pilot. Accordingly, the failures of the master of the Lorenzo Marcello and the watch officer on the Alcoa Corsair to realize that their vessels were standing into danger or to conclude that their respective vessels were being improperly navigated prior to the time that collision was imminent are not deemed to be faults under the circumstances….

Findings of Fact:

“….3. Deceased are:

a. Crew members…

John Gorman, Waiter
Walter B. Orman, Waiter
Edward W. Ketschke, Waiter (Captain)
Roy A Goddard, Waiter
Herbert J. Sullivan, Waiter

b. Passengers…

Clayton Colwell
Mill Helen B. Fox
Mrs. Virginia S. Kirchmaier
Miss Frances C. Ladd
Otto Peter Walters

“….” (pp. 1-3, 5.)
Sources

Bonsall, Thomas E. Great Shipwrecks of the 20th Century. New York: Gallery Books, 1988.

SeaWaves. “Today in History,” 10-22-2008. Accessed at: http://www.seawaves.com/newsletters/TDIH/october/22Oct.txt

United States Coast Guard. Commandant’s Action on Marine Board of Investigation; collision between the SS ALCOA CORSAIR and MV LORENZO MARCELLO (Italian), Mississippi River on 22 October 1960 with loss of life. Washington DC: Commandant, USCG, May 16, 1961. Accessed at: http://www.uscg.mil/hq/cg5/docs/boards/alcoacorsair.pdf