Another gondola for Providence

. . . and a Hurricane Katrina refugee, no less:

Bella Donna is a black-hulled gondola built in 2001 in Venice by the Dei Rossi Cantieri, or boatyard. Cummings, whose wife is Italian, bought the craft and kept it stored as a collector's item until it was commandeered to help rescue victims of the hurricane flooding. . .

Three to four months later, it was recovered five miles away. Its wood had begun to split after baking in the sun for so long, its fancy upholstered seating, brasswork, elaborate oarlock and even its single long oar were missing, and there was a hole in its side. . .

By the time the couple is done, they expect to have spent more than $20,000 to purchase Bella Donna, set up a repair shop and do the refurbishing. A new Venetian gondola costs about $35,000.

Posted by David on January 21, 2006 10:52 AM