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COPif-D R!OM THE COLLECTIONS IN THE CENTER FOR AMERICAN HiSTOK THF. UNIVF.HS1TY OFTCVac at amctim Vol. 11, No. 23 November 24, 1969 Manhattan Docks in N.Y.C. NEW YORK WELCOMES QUEEN OF THE ARCTIC ' A.i*v. '* -: y r'-'V;.- -;=Va ""-'vsit- ......... ?r^Y.'y?S`_'ssJiSsB8 - ' . ... - _ . ' ..; 'V..-;.vv' '' ` .' . . - .... '-w'v,'-'. - ' - - "'.'^...-<ws-i*k: '-'V-. ;. .; . v. - S. S. Manhattan Steams into New York Harbor The S'. S. Manhattan is home. A flotilla of 24 tug boats and a sky full of helicopters wel comed the icebreaking tanker in New York on her return from an 80-day round trip voy age through the fabled North west Passage. She is the first commercial ship to cross that ice-clogged Arctic waterway. It was the beginning of a homecoming day of ceremony, celebration, and the reunion of Manhattayi crew members with wives, children, sweethearts and old friends. The New York skyline hung dimly like a wet shadow in the morning fog as the tug boats arrayed themselves in an oval formation around the ship for a procession to Pier 84 on Man hattan Island. The Coast Guard icebreaker Staten Island led the way. The voyage, which started from Chester, Pennsylvania, August 24. ended November 12 with the Manhattan's arrival in New York. The ship fulfilled a dream that Christopher Co lumbus had of discovering an ocean trade route to the East. Captain Roger Steward, mas ter, sailed the ship out of the western end of the Northwest Passage on the night of Sep tember 14. which proved that ships can transit the Arctic waterway. But the Manhattan was not unscathed by the voy age. ` Ragged Mini-Skirt Ice scraped the lower part of her hull clean to the metal. And paint extending from deck level down ended abruptly in a jagged line all around the hull -- giving her the appear ance of wearing a ragged mini- skilt. {Continued on Page 3) EXX-MOR-007647 Captain Promoted to Kentucky Navy Admiral Capt. Charles W. Edwards of the Esso Pennsylvania has been promoted to Admiral of the Kentucky Navy. The honorary rank was bestowed on him for distinguished service to a fel low tow boat master in distress. He went to the rescue of Whitney's Folly II when she lost power in one engine on the Ohio River near Warsaw, Ken tucky. The boat was in danger of being driven aground as high winds whipped up whitecapped waves on the river. In nominating the Esso skip per for the Kentucky Navy apnointment, Capt. William H. Whiting of Whitney's Folly II wrote the Blue Grass State's Department of Natural Re sources Commissioner J. O. Matlock: `When this unfortunate situa tion arose, a 1200-foot tow boat was immediately to our stern. The captain of the Esso Penn sylvania slowed his tow and allowed us, with one engine, to come alongside where he per sonally supervised his crew in tying us up to his tow behind one of three barges abreast. He towed us all the way from War saw, Kentucky, to the Little Miami River above Cincinnati. Steaks for Dinner "Not only did he perform the above courtesy, but he gave my crew of four and myself lunch and then served us steaks for dinner in the evening. CAPTAIN CHARLES W. EDWARDS "I recite the above only to show you that I'd not sponsor just anyone for Admiral of the Kentucky Navy, but I believe that Capt. C. W. Edwards of the Esso Pennsylvania merits this honor and distinction." The State of Kentucky con curred, and Capt. Edwards re ceived a certificate of appoint ment making him an Admiral of the Kentucky Navy, an ad miral's cap, and a wallet iden tification card. And Admiral Edwards' wife received a bou quet of flowers from Capt. Whiting "as a token of our ap preciation" for her husband's service to the Whitney's Folly II. The Edwards live in Mem phis. ESSO FLEET NEWS is published every other Monday for active and retired employees of the Marine De partment, Humble Oil & Refining Co.; T. J. Fuson. General Manager; Sydney Wire. Assistant General Manager. Jim Pitts, Editor Contributions and suggestions are invited and should be addressed to The Editor. Esso Fleet News, Humble Oil & Refining Co., P. O. Box 1512, Houston, Texas 77001. Poge 2 TOLD HIM WHERE TO GO. Caplain Russell McVay, master of the Esso Massachusetts, discovered he had 10 would-be "navigators" aboard when he took that many news media photographers out to meet the Manhattan in New York Harbor. All 10 were directing him to steer in at least 20 different directions at once to gain favorable photographic positions as the Manhattan moved up the North River. Captain McVay good naturedly maneuvered his well kept tug wherever news photographers wanted to go, giving none of them an excuse for not getting the pictures they were trying to shoot. He smiled through it all and said, "Come back again anytime, Gentlemen," when the photographers got off his boat. ESSO FLEET NEWS MANHATTAN (Continued from Page 1} Powerful, stubby little tug boats -- their bows rising and falling as they bobbed in the water -- gathered about the Manhattan like ladies-in-wait ing. With their brightly colored flags and streamers flying in gusty winds, tugs gently nud ged the new Queen of the Arc tic -- as one deck hand called her -- toward her berth at the pier. A fire boat spouting streams of water into the air added to the courtly ceremony in the harbor. . . Daddy's Boat" Her bow protruding like a gracefully designed spike, the Manhattan moved slowly with in range of television and press cameras. "Here comes Daddy's boat," shouted a little girl shivering on the dock. The Manhattan tied up at the dock, a covered gangway was put up to the ship, and families, friends, news report ers and officials swarmed aboard. Also on hand to welcome the Manhattan men were J. K. Jamieson, chairman of the board of Standard Oil Com pany (New Jersey); M. A. Wright, chairman of Humble's board of directors; T. J. Fuson, Marine Department general manager, and Sydney Wire, assistant general manager. A press conference in a build ing on the pier drew some 250 news media representatives. Messers. Jamieson, Wright, Fuson, Stanley B. Haas, pro ject manager of the Arctic Task Force, and Captain Roger Steward answered questions from the press. After the press conference and a buffet luncheon, Humble expressed appreciation to the U.S. Coast Guard for its role in the historic Northwest Passage voyage. Science & Seamanship Mr. Wright said: "Earlier today, in talking with members of the press, my colleagues and I paid a very sincere tribute to all the men and ships who have been a part of the Man hattan project. Their efforts added up to a smooth meshing of science and seamanship, of engineering and ingenuity, of careful planning and compe tent execution. "But there was another factor that also contributed to the success of the voyage: the cooperative spirit with which (Continued on Page 4) WELCOME HOME. Mrs. Alton Burns, Jr., and son Michael, 3, are part of big cheering crowd awaiting the arrival of the Manhattan and crew. Her husband sailed as third assistant engineer in the ship. Below, the ice breaking tanker sails up North River past Lower Manhattan. November 24, 1969 Page 3 AN ARMADA of harbor tugs moves up North River off Manhattan Island accompanying Humble's unique ice breaker as observed from bridge of Manhattan by (from left) J. K. Jamie son, chairman of the board of Standard Oil Company, (New Jersey); Captain Donald Graham, Manhattan staff captain; M. A. Wright, Humble board chairman; Captain Roger Steward, master, and R. H. Venn, Humble director in charge of the Marine Department. It was a big day for Humble, the Manhattan and her hardy crew. {Continued from Page 3) the governments of both Can ada and the United States sup ported this historic venture. In our own country, that spirit was exemplified by the valu able counsel and assistance we received from the U. S. Coast Guard." Humble's Resolution He read resolutions adopted by the Humble board of dir ectors paying tribute to Cap tain Fred A. Goettel of the Coast Guard and to the com manding officers of the Northwind and the Staten Island, the two U. S. icebreakers which es corted the Manhattan on her voyage. Inscribed ship builder's plates were presented to Ad miral Mark Whalen represent ing Captain Donald J. McCann, master of the Northwind. and to Captain Eugene F. Walsh, master of the Staten Island. Pago 4 Inscriptions on the plates, which will be mounted on the ships' bulkheads, read: "The S. S. Manhattan and Crew Salute the (name of ship) in appreciation of support given on her maiden voyage through the Northwest Passage Aug - Oct 1969." Identical miniature replicas of the plates were also given to the Coast Guard for each crew member on the two icebreakers. Similar plates were pres ented to the masters and crews of the Canadian icebreakers four days earlier when the Manhattan docked in Halifax, Nova Scotia. They were given to Captain Paul Fournier, mas ter of the John A. McDonald: Captain W. Dufour, master of the Loins S. St. Laurent, and Captain Thomas C. Pullen, Canadian Coast Guard repres entative aboard the Manhattan. Celebration The Manhattan's officers and crew, their wives and friends celebrated their homecoming that night at a dinner in the Hotel Plaza. R. H. Venn, Hum ble board director in charge of the Marine Department, congratulated officers and crew and welcomed them home. Mrs. Samuel Boyd, a name with which most crew mem bers were familiar, turned up at the dinner to meet the men who had made her an honor ary Manhattan crew member. A Chicago school teacher, she took a personal interest in the voyage and had exchanged cor respondence with Humble of ficials and members of the crew. Mr. Venn and Mr. Fuson ex pressed their appreciation for her interest in the Northwest Passage project when they in- ESSO FLEET NEWS 9 f> HOMECOMING. Moments after a gangway was extended from the pier to the S. S. Manhattan, big gest commercial ship flying the American flag, officers and crew were reunited with families and friends. Among the first off the ship was (right) Guilherme J. DaSilva, a wiper, who quickly found his wife, Joanna. troduced her to the Manhattan men. The big banquet ended at the Cinderella hour when the orchestra went home. The Marine Arctic Task Force in Houston has already begun the job of unraveling a massive amount of data col lected on the voyage. An ana lysis of the information, and perhaps another voyage in Arctic waters, will tell Hum ble whether or not it is econo mically feasible to move Alas kan crude oil in ships through the Northwest Passage to East Coast markets. November 24, 1969 Hesisii 1 Page 5 EXX-MOR-007651 COPIED FROM THE Cdi-LECTIONS IN THE CENTER FOR AMERICAN HfSTORTHE UNI VERS1TY OF TEX AS A T A u s t in u< : LeU s, Ceremony, Celebration b i2 5 J&fuif-W " *<?.:?.- '<3 St7-- 5V ` UJ < CJ * b - S3U:) Sf^t rfr'; "* - *.- "-2 .rgsrt; Jferii I? n?Oi'-s; WM v^tr4 ^1 as HUMBLE SALUTES U.S.C.C. M. A. Weight (above), Humble board chairman, presents resolution adopted by Humble board of directors conveying company's appreciation for Coast Guard's cooperation in Man hattan project to Admiral Mark Whalen. Below, Stanley B. Haas, Arctic Task Force project manager, gives ship builder's plate expressing crew's gratitude for Sfaten Island's able assistance during voyage to Captain Eu gene F. Walsh, commander of the Coast Guard ice breaker. Above right, Third Assistant Engineer Alton Burns, Jr., is reunited with his wife and son, Michael. ,-5T '.i'b '31'A- ; . ; -r. Mi *f.? 5^:.,. iSWUMHiH r .5 f -'* ipMpviB*BilB* Mp-il i_r-c J Page 6 J 1 list).' .Hr? ESSO FLEET NEWS EXX-MOR-007652  Mark Manhattan Homecoming *...** jX l,7HL |:O< 12 |W F |Si! -< UJ < Sl|si It--Si h>- '> W2 3o uxl Li. E iu AT THE BIG BASH held for officers and crew in New York's Hotel Plaza are (above from left) Captain Roger Steward, master of the Manhattan, and Mrs. Steward, and Sydney Wire, assistant general manager of the . .- -.1 .. 7`.-A "- ft -A X-> -'% i*t -rfc- . -; ..l-ir.1V- cri.V. '-.-f i Marine Department, and Mrs. Wire; (below left) Messman Jose P. Leitao, Messman and Mrs. Donald D. Dutsch, and Utiiityman Hector M. Serrata. At right. Oiler and Mrs. Theodore R. Mowell. - _? _^ .8 /. ":. .,f mr :m~! November 24, 1969 Wji- ?fe EXX-MOR-007653 COPIP/J FROM THE COLLECTIONS IN THE CENTER FOR AMERICAN HISTOK THE UNIVERSITY OF TE X A S A T a u c t in ALL SMILES. Above from left at the Manhattan banquet are Second Mate Albert M. Scara, T. J. Fuson, Marine Department general manager, and Chief Steward Leopold Oliveira. Below, for Third Assistant and Mrs. Michael J. Crosskill it's dinner together for the first time in months. At right, Messman and Mrs. Oliver P. Picou do a lively swing on the dance floor. I t i 1 Page 8 ESSO FLEET NEWS EXX-MOR-007654 COPIFIJ FROM THE CYJELEf'TIONS Tn THE CENt r FOR AMERiCAN HISI THE UNIVERSITY OF TE X A S AT A u s t in A Night for Laughing, Dancing, Dining Wt -! "-I . V, y! -- ,;r Brnsaim CANDLELIGHT DINNER. Baker Eduardo Oliveira and his wife (above) relax for an evening of leisure and good food. Below, at table are (from far right around table) Oiler and Mrs. James P. O'Donnell, Oiler and Mrs. Theodore R. Mowell, Baker Julius E. Rohn, Mr. R. H. Venn, director in charge of Marine Department; Mrs. A. D. Mookhoek and her husband, technical co ordinator on Arctic Task Force; and Mrs. R. H. Venn. t -: i-sx l-.l* : ,, - -fc-.-.v i.-fet- I T'!::' ' , - -;v ': l- ^' \* i * - ., , - t > f" * * * * .* -i * ! ; . . -VV,-: :. . ". ' ] 1~ vsj3f*r5, ,. VC -y # tm --T-r : f >* * 't- "- z***.. *r* . .-'T ' s .-.'i'z-'srj:-* ' U'r*--t. * ^ ras -"'MSI ^V-i, *. .v-BC `;vr_ - Y.'V ' : 1 ' * \j - ' ~, ; * * ! jifc. S \ 1S. 'r - ; ? . -/ V .. S&'J '""'T' - - ... . ..-- *3 November 24, 1969 Page 9 EXX-MOR-007655 Story of a Woman and 8 Men Yes, Gentlemen, There . . . ... Really Is a Virginia Boyd "Who is Virginia Boyd?" "I think she's a school teacher or somebody who wants our autographs." That's about all the officers and men of the S. S. Man hattan knew about her. She had written to several Manhat tan men during the ship's Northwest Passage voyage, and she did ask for the crew's autographs. So most of them knew there really was a Vir ginia Boyd. All of them found out who she is the evening of Novem ber 12 at a banquet held in celebration of the Manhattan's homecoming in New York. Vir ginia Boyd was there. She came to see the 58 men who had made her an honorary Manhattan crew member. It all started a few months back when Mrs. Boyd first learned of Humble's Manhat tan project. A teacher whose favorite subject is history, she was aware of the historic meaning of the opening of the Northwest Passage to commer cial shipping. A student of the Arctic, she also knew it took "men of courage" to sail in the Far North. She wrote Humble Oil to learn more. Surprised Somewhat surprised, Mrs. Boyd received letters from Humble executives explaining the planning that went into the project, the tremendous cost and the great gamble the company was taking. Virginia Boyd is also an ad mirer of private enterprize. And to her, Humble's $40 mil lion gamble in the Arctic was a prime example of what it could do. She used it to show Page 10 her students what a company can accomplish on its own without government financing. She also corresponded with the S. S. Manhattan to learn more about the voyage and the men who sailed the ship. As a result, she received a handsome scroll autographed by men aboard the ship nam ing her an honorary member of the Manhattan crew. School Teacher Mrs. Boyd, who teaches at the Ida Crown Jewish Acad emy of Chicago, convinced the school principal that the Man hattan project was history in the making and asked him if she could hold a special assemblv of the students to focus attention on it. He agreed. With the help of W. R. Brooks, Humble public rela tions manager in Chicago, Mrs. Bovd obtained a company film featuring talks by Humble ex ecutives who described plans and preparations leading up to the Northwest Passage voyage. The movie had never before been shown in a school. "Men of Courage" Mrs. Boyd introduced the movie by explaining the impact a sea route through the Arctic could have on world trade and on the development of Alaska. She also said, "Right now, while you students are seated in this assembly, the S. S. Man hattan is on her way back from a successful crossing of the Northwest Passage -- a venture paid for by Humble with some financial assistance from two other oil companies. I cite this venture as an ex cellent example of private en terprise at work and salute the VIRGINIA BOYD men of courage who sailed on the ship and Humble Company representatives who had the vision and fortitude to make the trip possible." Mrs. Boyd also drew public attention to her high regard for the Humble Company. A letter from her was published in The Wall Street Journal commending Humble for tak ing the time to hear and res pond enthusiastically to an in dividual's request for informa tion. Meets Manhattan Men The day the Manhattan docked in New York, Mrs. Boyd was there and went aboard as an honorary crew member. At the banquet that evening, the slim attractive school teacher with a long splash of sandy blonde hair falling over her thin shoulders was introduced to the Manhat tan men by R. H. Venn, Hum ble director in charge of the Marine Department, and T. J. Fuson, Marine Department general manager. They told who she was and what she had done to point up their voyage in the Arctic as an historic undertaking. There was a loud, long ap plause that left no doubt Vir ginia Boyd was the most pop ular crew member the S. S. Manhattan ever had. ESSO FLEET NEWS COPIED FROM THE COLLECTIONS IN THE CENTER FOR AMERICAN HISTOIC THE UNIVERSITY OF TE X A S A T A11CTIM Humble Able Seaman School Graduates 12 All 12 students in the Humble able seaman's school were graduated at ceremonies November 7 aboard the Texas Maritime Academy training ship Texas Clipper in Galves ton. Captain Louis H. Staar, asistant port captain, congratu lated the men and presented them with certificates of grad uation. Leonard H. Earle, em ployee relations superintendent (seagoing personnel), encour aged the graduates to keep studying to qualify for an in creasing number of third mate positions in the fleet. The class posted an average grade of 91.1 on the Coast Guard Able Seaman Examina tion. The highest grade was 97, and 10 students scored above 91. Seventy is a passing mark. Graduates of the school who meet minimum service timeon-deck requirements and ob tain an able seaman's certifi cate from the Coast Guard are promoted by the Marine De partment to able seaman. CONGRATULATIONS. Captain Louis H. Staar (right), assistant port captain, congratulates Jose Silva as he presents him with a certificate of graduation at able seaman's school in Galveston, Texas. GRADUATES. Gathered on the deck after graduation ceremonies at the Humble able seaman's school aboard the Texas Clipper are (from left) Captain Louis H. Staar, assistant port captain; Leonard H. Earle, employee relations superintendent (seagoing), and graduates Jose Silva, Carlos A. Spencer, Ronald T. Tarpey, Andres Martinez, Ronald E. Gibson, Estaban N. Ocana, James D. Waller, Stanley T. Czerwinski, Joseph Gunsiorowski, Pedro D. Vale, Leonard J. Younce Jr., Robert J. Alcox, and Third Mate Michael Sharik III, course instructor. f fc"' \ November 24, 1969 Page 11 EXX-MOR-007657 HE'S NOT HORSING AROUND. Dean Vaag, son of Ab'e Seaman Arthur W. Vaag of the Esso Bangor, recently borrowed a horse by the name of Jack to deliver the Baytown Sun on his paper route when his trusty bike broke down. Said the 13-year-old lad, "People just looked." The Vaags live in Baytown, Texas. TAFFRAIL TALK v The Most Widely Traveled Ship Captain Edward Crawford just smiled and tossed the Fleet News against a bulkhead aboard the Esso Seattle as she was steaming along in the calm Pacific. "Get a load of that story on Page 5 that says the Esso Scranton is the fleet's most widely traveled ship," he said to a shipmate. The article, telling of the Scran ton's sailing to Pakistan, made the mistaken assumption that the fleet's oldest ship was also its "most widely traveled." In port last month, Captain Crawford caught the Fleet News staff aboard the Esso Seattle and convinced us other wise. The Esso Seattle, now on a European voyage, is the fleet's most widely traveled ship. And Captain Crawford is probably the tallest fellow in the fleet, too -- especially aboard his own ship. DEATHS: - Chester R. Anderson died November 1 as the result of a heart ailment, a friend of his reported to Humble. He retired in 1962 as fireman-watertender after 28 years in the Esso Fleet. '. " i . ' 1 Mr. Anderson served five years in the Navy (1917-22) and sailed with Merchants & ; j Miners four years before joining Esso's W. L. Steed as wiper in 1934. He soon became fire- man-watertender and for the next 28 years sailed mostly in that rating. His last voyage was in the Esso Chester. He is survived by two brothers, Robert of Midland. Michigan; Arthur of Renovo, Penn sylvania, where Chester grew up, worked be fore entering the Navy; two sisters, Mary of Baltimore, Maryland; Agnes of Philadelphia, and several nieces and nephews. The friend who reported Mr. Anderson's death said: "He built a beautiful home at Cross Fork, Pennsylvania, but due to failing health could not enjoy it as he had hoped. He lived with his sister, Agnes, in Philadelphia." Chief Cook Antonio Lomba, who retired in February, is missing at sea. He was a cook aboard the tug Majorie McAllister which sank November 2 with all hands off Cape Lookout, North Carolina. Mr. Lomba, 61, had 22 years' service in Esso ships when he retired. He first sailed with Humble in the Esso Parkersburg in 1946 and last served in the Esso Miami before his retire ment. He is survived by his wife, Maria, and two daughters, Candida, 18, and Dolores, 15, all of Jersey City, New Jersey. Karl E. Magnusson, 79, died October 19. He was a first assistant engineer when he retired because of a disability in 1950 with 17 years' service. " Mr. Magnusson's first assignment was in the Frederick R. Kellogg as third assistant in 1926. He last sailed in the Esso Bethlehem as first assistant before he retired. A widower, Mr. Magnusson had been living with his daughter, Asta B. McGoldrick, and four grandchildren in West Peabody. Massach usetts. ' Last lost time injury in the Esso Fleet reportable to the National Safety Council occurred OCTOBER 30 Vol. 11, No. 22 PUBLISHED BY THE MARINE DEPARTMENT, HUMBLE OIL & REFINING COMPANY November 10, 1969 Seamen, Humble Reach Agreement On New Pay Boost, Bigger Benefits GROOMING the Esso Seattle's up take with a fresh coat of paint prior to her European sailing are Ordin ary Seaman Ingwald A. Karlsen (left) and Able Seaman Joseph Marino. Good Liberty Ports Ahead for Seattle The Esso Seattle -- of which the fleet rarely catches sight-- was in port last month less than 10 miles from the Humble Building. Captain Edward Crawford and crew tied her up October 22 at Brady Island in the Houston ship channel after a long foreign voyage. It had been more than two months since the Seattle de parted Texas on a voyage that took her to Pearl Harbor, Aru ba, Rota, Spain, and Thameshaven, England, near London. And while the 33,520 dead weight ton ship was in Hous ton, the crew got out the paint brushes under sunny skies and groomed the old gal for a sec ond entree at European ports. The Seattle's schedule looks like a page out of a travel guide with dockings in Antwerp, Belgium, Donges, France, and Rota, Spain. She should reach Rota in late November. The Esso Seaman's Associa tion and Humble concluded bargaining negotiations last week when they reached agree ment on a new amendment to the current contract. New fea tures added to the contract, re troactive to September 1, will not be effective until ratified by ESA members. The agreement, reached after several weeks of talks between ESA representatives and Humble Marine Department officials, provides substantial changes in compensation and in overtime pay rates. The biggest increase in the wage boost package comes in a pro vision to pay on a monthly basis a fixed sum equal to the value of overtime pay in com pensation for Sunday and holi day work. Another major contract im provement is the addition of a "60 - month certain" provision to the Special Sea Service An nuity Program for unlicensed personnel. It means that when a retired employee dies during the first five years of retire ment his eligible qualifying benificiary continues to re ceive the sea service annuity until the end of the 60-month period. Other Features Other features included in the amendment provide in creased room and subsistence allowance and "penalty-pay" if a licensed officer performs unlicensed work. The latter provision means that an officer cannot perform duties customarily required only of unlicensed personnel except to handle or prevent an emergency. Unlicensed per sonnel -- available, qualified and willing to do such work performed by an officer--will be compensated under the new amendment. Provisions of the current agreement remain in effect un til the new amendment is rati fied. Able Seaman School Opens in Galveston A dozen Esso Fleet ordinary seamen are attending the sec ond able seaman training pro gram offered this year by the Marine Department at Galves ton, Texas. The program, which graduated 33 seamen in the spring, prepares students for the Coast Guard Life Boat and Able Seaman Examination. The program was developed last March at the request of the Esso Seamen's Association. The first of two classes slated for the fall session of the AB School started October 27. It ended November 7, and the second two-week class begins November 10. Classes are conducted aboard the training ship Texas Clipper which was made available by the Texas Maritime Academy. Third Mate Michael Sharik III, who conducted the first course in the spring, came ashore from the Esso Huntington to instruct students attending the school now. All Phases Classroom instruction, actual practice in lifeboat handling, the use of fire fighting equip- (Continued on Page 9) Gerald Aymond isso Tankerman Is Youngest on liters Gerald "Pee Wee" Aymond became the youngest tankerman on the western river sys tem in late August when he passed a 3%-hour Coast Guard examination. The 18-year-old deckhand on the Esso Tennes see was told by a Coast Guard examiner in New Orleans that "you're the youngest man we've ever issued a tankerman's license in our memory." Eighteen is the minimum age at which the test can be taken. Gerald credits his rapid ad vancement since joining the Esso inland waterways fleet in March to Mate Percy Ruiz and Mate Edgar F. Guillot. "They showed me the ropes and en couraged me to take the test," says the young tankerman from Blaucheville, Louisiana. Says Mate Ruiz: "Pee Wee is bub bling with energy and catches on quick.' Studied Mr. Aymond said he learned everything he could about loading, discharging and trans ferring petroleum cargo as well as the entire piping system on Esso barges and studied the Tankerman's Manual when he was in the hospital during the summer. Page 2 Esso Bangor Delivers New Cargo To Texas In Test Tube Condition A first-time shipment of a sensitive, water - white petro chemical with a sweet pungent odor arrived in test tube condi tion in the Esso Bangor after an 1800-mile trip from Bayway, New Jersey, to Baytown, Texas. The Marine Department was as pleased with the special handling techniques used to move the product, called ace tone, as Enjay Chemical Com pany was with the low-cost "backhaul" movement of the petrochemical. Extraordinary economy was possible because the Bangor would have returned to Bay town without cargo after de livering products to the East coast. "By backhauling acetone in a tank that would have been empty, Humble was in a posi tion to give us a highly eco nomic transportation rate from Bayway to Baytown," said Ed Ivy, manager of marine coor dination for Enjay. Critical Moving acetone in a ship does require some forethought, however. Because of its critical characteristics (color, purity, distillation range, and water content), acetone can neither be loaded into a freshly washed cargo tank nor into one that previously contained a product that would contaminate it. ESSO FLEET NEWS is published every other Monday for active and retired employees of the Marine De partment, Humble Oil & Refining Co.; T. J. Fuson, General Manager: Sydney Wire, Assistant General Manager. Jim Pitts, Editor Contributions and suggestions are invited and should be addressed to The Editor, Esso Fleet News, Humble Oil & Refining Co., P. O. Box 1512, Houston, Texas 77001. The dilemma was solved by hauling hexane in the tank designated for moving the ace tone. "We can put acetone in a tank which has recently been emptied of hexane because hexane evaporates so rapidly," explained Luddy Bade, head of the ship allocation and dis patch section. Plans called for the Bangor to deliver a cargo of hexane to New York, pump it ashore, and take on 4.884 barrels of acetone at Bayway without cleaning the tank. The Bangor lifted the product October 11 and de livered it five days later "on spec" at Baytown. It was pumped into a barge and de livered to a storage tank on the Houston ship channel. The Bangor's master during the op eration was Captain Henry Wichman and the chief mate was Olav Haugevik. Lot of Work "A lot of work and coordina tion by Humble's Marine De partment and Baytown person nel went into this project, and we are real happy with the out come of it all," said Mr. Ivy. He credited Wilbur Cottle, manager of the Baytown Ma rine Branch Office, and Her man Teller, operations super visor, with arranging the move ment of the product by barge to the storage facility near Houston. J. C. Weisinger, Bay town dock master, arranged for pipe connections necessary to transfer the acetone from ship to barge. It was the first time that a Humble tanker had hauled acetone. The product is a hy drocarbon solvent used in the manufacture of lacquers for the automotive and furniture industries, plastics, textiles, rubber cements and other ad hesives. ESSO FLEET NEWS eallle rew 'a 'at annauan Some inkling of what seafaring men think of the S.S. Manhattan's historic voyage through the Northwest Passage was turned up in an opinion survey taken aboard the Esso Seattle. Twelve officers and men, representing better than a third of the 33-man crew, were polled to learn their views regarding the importance they attached to the Manhattan's voyage, its signi ficance to seagoing men, how they would feel about sailing in the Arctic, and what chances of success they thought the icebreaking tanker had when she set sail. Assuming that ships will sail on a regular basis in the Arctic at some future time as a result of the Manhattan's test voyage, officers and crew of the Seattle had this to say about it all: Captain Edward Crawford: "There was no doubt in my mind that the Manhattan :-j- would get through the North- ' west Passage. I was quite sure ' ^ :i the Houston shore staff would r. not have gone into this project .` with reckless abandon. The voyage was planned to be sue- -Sr > ^ cessful. It was definitely a very l-- important voyage. It opens up an entirely dif ferent field so far as seamen are concerned. Basically, we're all seamen whether we're mas ters or messmen and all of us are interested in the American merchant fleet. And the Manhat tan's voyage is a real shot in the arm to the American merchant marine industry. It also brings great prestige to the U.S. merchant fleet. I look forward to sailing in the Arctic." -. Chief Mate Cornells "Dutch" Vanderpoel: "I thought the .. li. Manhattan had a 50-50 chance " when she set sail. It was an ' i important voyage and signifi- cant that a company like . Humble will spend money to ,' explore something new. It is . sure to attract more men to - -- ' the merchant marine and bring greater opportunities for all seamen as well as provide a better and more economic operation for the company. I'm proud to be a member of the company that did it, too. But I've sailed too long in warm waters to go to the Arctic and I'd just as soon leave that for the younger gen eration. Sure, I'd go if they asked me to." Second Mate James L. Burke: "Knowing full well that Hum ble wouldn't spend all that money otherwise, I gave the old gal a 100 per cent chance of sailing through the North west Passage. The voyage rep resents progress and that's im portant. The Northwest route could become more important than either the Suez or the Panama canals because it will help increase trade between Europe and Japan. No thanks, but sailing in the Arctic isn't for me. I'm a fair weather sailor." VV Chief Steward Charles T. Hudspeth: "Yes, I thought the Manhattan could make it through the passage. I had no doubt about it at all. It's im portant because a new frontier has been opened. And so far as seamen are concerned, it opens up new jobs. I'd have no objec tions to sailing in the Arctic. I think it would be interesting." Able Seaman Dennis Marble: "I thought she would have had more trouble than she did with the ice, but I was sure she'd make it through the passage. It's definitely an important voyage that should serve its purpose, and that is getting the doggone oil out of Alaska by the cheapest way possible. In due time, it will mean more jobs for sailors as they build more ships to sail in the Arctic. And I would sail in a ship up there just as readily as I would in any other ship. I'm paid to do a job, and that's why I'm on the Seattle." Chief Cook Paul Sibley: "I didn't have any doubt whatever that the Manhattan could do it, but I was surprised that she made it so quickly. Let's put it this way, $40 million will cover a lot of ice. I know Captain Steward (master of the Manhattan) personally and he and his crew (Continued on Page 8) Arctic Reunion A most unlikely thing hap pened as Third Assistant En gineer Donald McCracken was sailing through the Arctic in the S.S. Manhattan. In all the vast wilderness of the Far North', he ran into his 19-yearold son, Bill. The meeting occurred when the Manhattan anchored over night at Thule, Greenland, be fore entering the Northwest Passage on her history-making voyage. Also anchored there was the Coast Guard icebreak er, Southwind. Mr. McCrac ken's son is a fireman appren tice in the Southwind. When the master of the Coast Guard ship learned that his fireman's father was in the Manhattan, he ordered a heli copter to take the youth to the big tanker. Father and son were briefly reunited aboard s and Views the Manhattan before the two ships parted. Mr. McCracken, who has been in the Esso Fleet four years, is a former Coast Guardsman. Arctic Mail Goes Through Second Mate Albert M. Scara of the S.S. Manhattan wrote October 14 from icy Viscount Melville Sound: "Greetings from the Canadian Arctic. Our usual team effort made the Northwest Passage success a reality. Special thanks to (Ma rine Department) mail room folks for a great job with our mail. Hope to see you all when we get back." Frank LaBarbera, the fleet's land-based mail man, and crew forwarded be tween 600 and 1,000 pounds of mail to the Manhattan. It all went by speedy jet plane and was routed at various times through Halifax, Nova Scotia, Thule, Greenland, and Resolute Bay, Northwest Territories. New Hand A new employee, Myron P. Arceneaux, reported to work at the Baton Rouge Marine Branch Office October 1 as a repair inspector for inland waterways. He replaces Ed ward E. Neighbors, who trans ferred to inland waters fleet personnel. Our Apologies A list of the officers and crew of the S'. S.. Manhattan in the 30 YEARS AGO (from left) Frank Winzer, materials control supervisor; Lowry Hughes, coordinator of inland waterways performance analysis, and Stewart Edmond, manning clerk, went to work for Humble. On the occa sion of their joint anniversaries, the trio was honored at a luncheon by long-time friends. Sydney Wire, Marine Dept, assistant general manager, presented each of the 30-year vets with new wrist watches which they proudly show one another. ` Paga 4 AN ESSO FLEET FAMILY. Captain Edward Crawford's family flew from their home in Cherry Hill, New Jersey, to visit him in Houston when the Esso Seattle recently tied up at Brady Island prior to a voyage to Europe. With him aboard the ship are (from left) his wife, Mrs. (Doris) Crawford, Alarice, 7, the Skipper himself, and Denise, 16. The Crawfords spent five days together in the Astro City. 550 FIEET NEWS From Humble Crews September 18 issue of Fleet News was printed as "an ac curate and current list of the Manhattan's cool crew." How ever, it was not quite what it claimed to be as Mrs. Lawrence D. Roth of Crawford, Nebraska candidly observes: "Your accurate, current and complete list of the Manhat tan's cool crew did not include my husband's name who is aboard the Manhattan as one of the third assistant engin eers." Fleet News apologizes for omission of Third Assistant En gineer Lawrence D. Roth's name from the crew list. Mate Goes Ashore Third Mate Timothy R. Leitzell has transferred from the Esso Fleet to the New York Marine Branch Office as a transportation allocator. Tim, a 1968 graduate of the New York State Maritime College, had been on temporary shoreside assignment in the ship alloca tion and dispatch section in Houston. Mr. Leitzell also plans to study admiralty law with the aim of becoming an attorney. Going to Sea John E. Gamache is going to sea again after a seven month tour ashore as a repair inspec tor. He will be assigned to a tanker at the end of a leave of absence. Mr. Gamache joined the Humble fleet in June, 1965, fol lowing his graduation from the Maine Maritime Academy. He sailed as third assistant until this past February when he came ashore to take an assign ment as repair inspector. He has moved from Baytown, Texas, to Libson Falls, Maine. New Licenses Two Humble seamen took the step from fo'c'sle to officer quarters last month after ac quiring their licenses. They are 3rd Mate George R. DeCaires and 3rd Assistant Engineer Euby L. Glover. A former able seaman. Mr. DeCaires of Galveston, Texas, sailed on his brand new third mate's license in the Esso Hous ton on September 3. He has been with the fleet since mid1968 and previously from 1956 to 1959. Mr. Glover made his first voyage as third assistant on September 22 in the Esso Balti more. He joined the fleet in 1965 as fireman - watertender. Oiler Sigmund F. Kosensky snapped this picture of Chief Pumpman William Gardner (left) and Chief Engi neer Ray L. Pearson examining souvenirs of their jour ney to Bombay, India in the Esso Newark. The tanker departed on a three month foreign voyage in late April. November 10, 1969 ISTANBUL water vendor appears to be making a sales pitch to Able Seaman John E. Rhem as Able Sea man Ian G. Harrison took this picture. They visited the ancient city along with other sailors of the Esso Scran ton when the ship was docked at Derince, Turkey, this summer. Pago 5 Manhattan Homeward Bound The S.S. Manhattan is home ward bound, retracing the route that led in an earlier voy age a few weeks back to a posi tion of historic prominence for the ship and her hardy crew. The ship completed ice tests in Viscount Melville Sound Oc tober 28 and set sail for Hali fax, Nova Scotia, and New York. She left Chester, Penn sylvania, on August 24 and ar rived at Point Barrow, Alaska, on September 21 after complet ing her history-making transit of the Northwest Passage. Although the Manhattan has shown that commercial vessels can make their way through the frozen passage, there are still months of study ahead be fore any determination can be made regarding economic feas ibility. Her voyage was an operational success, but it is still unknown whether it will be an economic success. Much Data Although the Manhattan did not conduct mid-winter opera tions in the Northwest Passage, much data approximating win ter conditions was obtained during the voyage. Such data will tell Humble whether or not it is economically feasible to operate tankers in the Arctic to move Alaskan crude oil to the U.S. East coast. Potential pipeline transporta tion costs must be determined and Alaskan terminal facilities plans considered even after ice breaking tanker design and ma rine operating costs have been estimated. The Manhattan's voyage it self, however, was an unquali fied success: the ship sailed through the Northwest Pass age and gathered the research data she set out to get. Humble's maverick tankericebreaker is destined for a Page 6 An Open Letter From the Esso Seattle to ... ... the S. S. Manhattan While the S.S. Manhattan was battling ice and other un known dangers in the Northwest Passage, we aboard the S.S. Esso Seattle were on our regular Far East run in the lonely Pacific. Although many miles away, our moral support, our hopes and our prayers were with the Manhattan all the way. To us this was a magnificent and brilliant piece of seamanship unmatched in maritime history since man first ventured in ships into the unknown. Captain Roger Steward and the entire com plement aboard the Manhattan were exceptionally impressive in the face of overwhelming and perhaps frightening odds. They are to be congratulated to the man. We are sure the hopes of all our men in all the ships were with the Manhattan. On top of this, the Manhattan was backed up by a superb shore staff in Houston, and, so far as we are concerned, the best in the industry. In the final analysis, on behalf of myself, the officers and crew of the S.S. Esso Seattle, we are proud and honored to be associated with this organization. Thank you. Captain Edward Crawford, Master S.S. Esso Seattle less glamorous but immediately more profitable role of earning her keep in the grain trade. She is under a one - voyage charter to lift 65,000 tons of wheat from Gulf ports in the New Orleans area to Chitta gong, East Pakistan. . The 115,000 deadweight tonner will spend a few days un dergoing repairs in a shipyard prior to taking on the wheat cargo near the end of Novem ber. She is slated to set sail for Chittagong in early December. The tanker will almost cer tainly pick up a cargo of crude oil enroute back to the United States. Beyond that one voyage her future is uncertain but there is a strong possibility that the Manhattan will return to Arctic water in March or April on another test voyage. Welcome Home But before the Manhattan slips out of the limelight and into the workaday world of the grain trade, the 1,005-foot long vessel will be welcomed back from the Arctic with cere monies in Halifax, Nova Scotia November 8 and in New York four days later. The ship and her two Cana dian Coast Guard escorts, the icebreakers John A. MacDon ald and Louis S. St. Laurent, will be received by a welcom ing committee of Canadian De partment of Transport officials, local dignitaries, and Humble officials. The day's agenda fea tures press conferences, recep tions, dinners, and the presen tation to the John A. MacDon- {Continued Next Page) ESSO FLEET NEWS < U LU \ol ^< SC (2< gS ax > 22 uU! j^E 1 2: Ic l i EXX-MOR-007664 3| 3S I [ l a, >Sfisy fTM <a~ -MTM -r'-.?:?-?^|?-':vT.-:.',r;- .. ./>,,'.* November 10, 1969 f-ViWp" tew *: t ..................... -.:v^-~-- --; REFUELING A FRIEND. The Canadian icebreaker John A. MacDonald, which has helped Ihe Manhattan out of more than one scrape with ice in the Arctic, snuggles up against the Humble tanker to take on bunkers. The Manhattan carried 30,000 barrels of diesel fuel for her icebreaker escorts. At right, a huge crevice is forced open by pressure of advancing Manhattan. (Continued from Page 6) aid and St. Laurent of plaques expressing the Manhattan's ap preciation to the Canadian ice breakers for their able assist ance in the tanker's unprece dented voyage. In New York Four days later, on Novem ber 12, the Manhattan will be greeted in New York by Humble and Jersey officials, including J. K. Jamieson, chair man of the board of Standard Oil Company (New Jersey), and M. A. Wright, chairman of Humble's board of directors. The ship will be berthed at Pier 84 on the North River. T. J. Fuson, general manager of the Marine Department; Stanley B. Haas, Arctic Task Force project manager, and Captain Roger Steward, master of the Manhattan, will join Mr. Jameison and Mr. Wright to hold a press conference in a building on the pier. After a luncheon, the ship will be open to the press. Federal, state, municipal and harbor officials have also been invited aboard. Mr. Haas and Captain Stew ard will present each icebreak er master with plaques given in appreciation of the U. S. Coast Guard's role in the his toric voyage. The ship's officers and crew and their wives will attend a celebration dinner at a New York hotel in the evening. R. H. Venn, director in charge of Humble's Marine Department, will welcome the Manhattan men at the dinner. Page 7 EXX-MOR-007665 Views on Manhattan Voyage (Continued from Pags 3) certainly deserve a lot of credit. The voyage itself was important not only to Humble but to the entire shipping industry. After all, it was a first. I don't think it will create many new jobs for seagoing men. But if it's successful, the pass age will be used by all kinds of ships, not only tankers. My favorite runs are to India, Greece and Spain, and I'm definitely not interested in sailing in all that Arctic ice." Oiler John D. Dudley: "I thought the Manhattan would make it because Humble has a lot of general foresight any way. And with all the money and publicity behind it, I just didn't believe the project would fail. Generally, it means means more ships, more jobs and more money for seagoing people. I'd go on a voyage in the Arctic right now. I've never been to Alaska and that's reason enough to go." Able Seaman Ian Harrison: "I felt that the Manhattan would have a successful voyage, but there was an element of risk involved. Without the as sistance of the icebreakers that went with her, she would have had a much more difficult journey. It was important to learn that a ship can sail through the Northwest Passage because of the potential mineral wealth, besides oil, in the Far North. To sailors it means getting used to a new climate and a new sailing experience. I would like to take a voyage or two in the Arctic for the experience, but I prefer sailing in other waters." Able Seaman Joseph Ma rino: "I gave the Manhattan a 50-50 chance of success. After ' '$p:. sailing in World War II, Korea and Vietnam, I have a great re- spect for American ingenuity. Of course, it was a very im- portant voyage because all that - j-' oil in Alaska will be going in American bottoms. And the important thing today is to keep the U.S. mari time industry alive. The tanker fleet may be a means to an end so far as American seamen are Page 8 SUCCESS of the S.S. Manhattan's voyage in Arctic was a sure bet according to an opinion survey taken aboard the Esso Seattle. The crew's views are in article starting on Page 3. concerned. I'd give my right arm to sail on one of the early voyages in the Arctic, preferably the very next one." Ordinary Seaman Keller E. Gilyard: "I would have laid two to one odds on the Manhat tan's success. The shorter route to Alaska is what's important. It will open up new jobs that will come with the building of new ships to sail in the North west Passage. To me it would I be an interesting experience to sail through the passage." Ordinary Seaman William _____ Bolstad: "I felt like the Man- .. \ . ' hattan had an 80 per cent chance of making the voyage al- j ___ ? right. Otherwise Esso wouldn't ` -' have invested all that money. The voyage was important be cause if it works out it will be ' - the most economical way of moving oil from Alaska. But I don't see any particular benefits in it for sea men. And I wouldn't care to sail up there at all because of the cold weather." -t- ** Utilityman Alfred Goncalves: "When the Manhattan set sail, I would have given three to '' one odds on a successful voy age. It was a very important '' undertaking, and I think the ' ; - crew did a tremendous job. I ; think seamen can look forward ' ' to some interesting voyages in the Arctic. I hope to sail --' through the Northwest Passage myself." ESSO ELECT NEWS Able Seaman School {Continued from Page 1) ment, and drill in rescue pro cedures cover all phases of the Coast Guard requirements to qualify as able seaman. Practi cal, straightforward teaching methods are used. Graduates will be able to demonstrate their abilities to tie and splice lines and handle lifeboats to meet the written, practical and oral AB test given by the Coast Guard. Students who obtain an able seaman's certificate will be promoted by Humble to fill an increasing number of AB va cancies in the fleet. "A growing number of retire ments, the delivery of one new ship this year and two more in 1970 have created an immedi ate need for qualified able sea men," said Paul J. McEwan, head of seagoing personnel. Promotion to able seaman means about a $185 per month pay jump and increased over time rates. Expenses Paid Students are quartered at a hotel near the Texas Clipper. Humble pays their expenses and provides books, paper, pens and other study materials. Seamen enrolled in the course remain on the payroll with full wages. In addition to passing the Coast Guard test, three years' service on deck is required to obtain an unlimited AB cer tificate, or one year for a limited certificate. A limited certifiicate is automatically up graded to unlimited when sea service requirements are met. Requests to enroll in the course should be routed through officer supervisors. Applicants must be at least 19 years old and able to pass a color sense examination. Instructor Mike Sharik, a Navy veteran, learned the ropes of seamanship in the fo'c'sle. He joined the Esso Fleet 17 years ago and most of November 10, 1969 wargf--wfS--rmeamEaams - -i . TWO YEARS without a lost-time injury reportable to the National Safety Council netted the officers and crew of the Esso Newark double awards in recognition of their outstanding safety records. The Jones F. Devlin award, held by Chief Mate William J. Straley (top), marks the ship's no-lost time record for 1967-68. And it was the second consecutive year the Newark has received a Humble Marine Certificate of Safety, held by Port Captain Frank L. Hooper (center left) and Capt. Sebastian J. Masuzzo. On hand for the presentation ceremonies at dockside in Baytown, Texas, are (from left) Messman William H. Stubblefield, Messman Frank V. White III, Utilityman James W. Gibson, Able Seaman Paul Wood, 3rd Mate Roland R. Parent, Jr., Ordinary Seaman Jimmy D. Sauls, Ordinary Seaman Jerry L. Sauls, Utilityman William H. Bricka, Oiler Ralph Maupin, Chief Cook Stephen W. Johnson, Chief Steward John G. Pina, 2nd Cook Francisco Sanchez, 1st Assistant Engineer William M. Hyatt, W. A. Scott of the Baytown Branch Office, Able Seaman Juan Lerma, Able Seaman John W. Geedman and Pumpman Joseph H. Stromeyer. Capt. Julius Wend was master of the Esso Newark during much of the two-year period for which the safety awards were presented. Merchandise valued at some $3,000 has gone unclaimed by officers and seamen of the fleet who qualified for awards for sailing in Humble tankers maintaining an 80-day accident free record. Some 1,100 seagoing em ployees were notified by mail his years at sea were as able seaman until he acquired his third mate's license in 1966. Mr. Sharik also assisted for four years in the training of Esso lifeboat racing crews and was coxswain of the Esso crew that won the World Champion ship International Lifeboat Race two years consecutively. in May that they were winners of such merchandise as electric drills, electric blenders, port able radios and other prizes shown in a catalog accompany ing the notification. But about 175 employees have not mailed in special selection cards claim ing their gifts. A. B. Randall, fleet safety of ficer, stated that he will reissue cards to personnel who have lost theirs and request new ones. "It's free, no strings at tached," he said of the mer chandise. Mr. Randall indicat ed. however, that he will be forced to establish a deadline for accepting claims in the near future. Page 9 RECENT RETIREMENTS ssmsssa "I want to say so long to the swell bunch of crew members and officers who were my shipmates in the Esso Fleet," said Utilityman Edmund CanIon when he retired. Ed, living in his native New Jersey in . Bayonne, completed 21 years in ' Humble tankers at the end of his last voyage in the Esso '--~Lexington. His first assignment was as messman in the Esso Dover in 1947. He left the fleet in 1948 and returned the same year. Prior to sailing under the Esso oval, Mr. CanIon served with the Air Force in World War II. In the 1930s he sailed as ordinary seaman in the Tidewater, owned by Tidewater Oil Company. Then Ed went to work for the Western Electric Company in New York until 1940 when he be came an. employee of Elco Boat Works at Bayonne. Mr. Canlon is spending his leisure time "col lecting records, fishing down the Jersey shore, and taking it easy" until he gets another job. In farewell, Ed said, "It has been a pleasure working for a great company like Humble. And good luck, good health, and good sailing to the officers and men of the fleet." .. -res : ' . . :F*'; - . ~ .' i;- - . ' \ .V *'< -v -~'`- `-s. p] A ftviSfY 3'>; y. -^a.1 Ait*? , "GOOD-BYE & GOOD LUCK" were fhe forwells of officers and men of the Esso Florence to Second Mate Axel Ekman on the final voyage of his 18V2-year ca reer with Humble. Among those on hand at a goingaway gathering aboard ship are (from left) Mr. Ekman, Able Seaman Wilmer Perry Jr., Able Seaman Warren G. Cox, Chief Mate Edmund Sabowski and Messman Fulton B. Sanders. Shipmates also presented the retir ing mate with a going-away purse stuffed with $82. Messman Abraham Moll retired after 21 years in Esso ships. He first sailed in the Esso Aruba as galleyman, an extra hand in the galley to serve passengers going from New York to Aruba at a refinery operated by the Lago Oil & Transport Company, a part of the Standard Oil Company (New Jersey) organization. As many as 12 passengers sailed in the ship on each voy age. Mr. Moll lives in Corona, New York, with his wife, Ramona, and a daughter, Estrella, 17. ik r- > TAFFRAIL TALK v ' -< Esso Lima Mascot A big sea bird ran afoul of a wire during a landing attempt on the Esso Lima and "crashed" on the deck. Ordinary Seaman Sidney Schmidt went to the rescue and found the bird had suffered a broken wing and a fractured leg. He and fellow shipmates took their feathered friend under wing, fixed him a bunk in a box, and served the patient rice, cornmeal and water. "He was soon able to walk up and down the passageway," reports Mr. Schmidt. He described the bird as black with white spots and "sporting a long bill." When Seaman Schmidt left the ship, the Lima's new mascot "was doing just fine." Last lost time injury in the Esso Fleet reportable to the National Safety Council occurred OCTOBER 12 DEATHS / -i- -- Hipolito Diaz, 70, died Septem ber 23 in West New Brighton, Staten Island, New York. He jr?? 0 retired as fireman-watertender in March, 1964, with almost 30 ' ' years' service in the Esso Fleet. He joined Esso's George G. \ - ; A. Henry in 1934 as wiper. Mr. i Ai A I Diaz sailed as wiper, fireman an(j storekeeper until 1941. From then on he was fireman-watertender, ris ing to the Number One spot on that seniority list. Mr. Diaz sailed all through World War II, serving 26 months in the George W. Barnes and 10 months in the Paul H. Harwood, including a winter voyage to Motolovsk. Born in Spain, he had lived on Staten Island for many years prior to his retirement. There are no known survivors.