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PUBLISHED BY THE MARINE DEPARTMENT, HUMBLE OIL & REFINING COMPANY Vol. 8, No. 19 October 6, 1966 Esso Newark's First Voyage to India By Chief Mate MARSHALL G. PRICE and Oiler RALPH MAUPIN We took departure from South west Pass at 0030, July 31, after loading 19 grades of lube oil at Baytown, Good Hope and Baton Rouge. Following an old familiar course, the Esso Newark headed for Tortugas and then Jupiter, where a Great Circle course was laid out for the Azores and the Straits of Gibraltar. All the way across the Atlantic the sea was as calm as a lake with beautiful weather all the time. The Azores, coast of Spain, coast of North Africa and the island of Malta disappeared behind us and at 1530, Aug. 17, we arrived at Port Said, Egypt. Here the routine of working, eat ing and sleeping was interrupted when we found it necessary to stop for a few hours. Egyptian store keepers set up shop in the passage ways and recreation room aft and soon trading and bartering on a post-graduate level began. There was no stability of prices. The likes of Charlie Brown, Andy Gum* and hordes of assistants hawked their wares with great zeal and loud en thusiasm. Pure leather photo albums made of pressed cardboard, camel skin purses and pocketbooks made of real cowhide, silk rugs of beau tifully dyed cotton, natural gems of gaudily colored glass, ash trays carved of stone taken from the Sphinx and the Pyramids are just *Names adopted by Egyptian mer chants for business purposes. some of the array of items offered to our crew. Any asking price was a signal for shocked disbelief by the crew member, which led the shopkeeper to louder and more urgent pleas for a sale, although he assured us that he couldn't possibly make a profit at the price offered. Usually a deal was made and each party was satisfied. As time approached for our de parture, the shopkeepers took their leave, sorrowing loudly at the ridic ulous prices they had allowed the shrewd buyers in the Esso Newark to obtain their merchandise. All in all, everyone enjoyed the fun and as for me, I'll put my pure camel skin photo album, which I really did purchase at a bargain, in the attic at home along with the bar gains of former years, saving a little room for more rare items. At 2130, Aug. 18, we cleared New port Rock at the southern end of the Suez Canal and headed through the hot and swirling-with-sand Red Sea to the Indian Ocean, arriving at Bombay at 2018, Aug. 26. The ship docked at Ballard Pier, which is a passenger ship dock and also the best one. There was one draw back, though. Every time a passen ger ship arrived we had to shift to anchorage until she departed. The voyage was a pleasant one, with the ship's crew doing plenty of work with chipping, hammers, scrapers, paint brushes and the like but when we tied up in Bombay, it was indeed a gleaming ship -- painted inside and out and clean as a pin -- that greeted officials from the Company and government. They were lavish in their praise and actually stated that the Esso Newark was the cleanest and best maintained ship that had come into the port of Bombay. Quite a differ ent ship from the one that left the shipyard in Galveston. All hands certainly deserve a hearty welldone. Our cargo was discharged through the port and starboard stripper sys tems only. It was possible, there fore, to handle 2 grades at once. Cargo was pumped about 500' through 6" hose into a fleet of tank trucks, each with a capacity of 75 bbls. When loaded, each of the 36 trucks would be driven to a tank farm about 10 miles away, dis charged and return for another load. Discharging was completed at 0300, Sept. 9. It is noted with pride that all samples were perfect (no traces of moisture) and the con signees were pleased with the prod uct quality. Next, the Esso Newark shifted to Butcher Island (which is about a 50-minute launch ride to Bombay) where all tanks were quickly passed for loading a full cargo of naptha for New York. We commenced load ing at the rate of 1,500 bph. at 0240, Sept. 10, sailed on Sept. 16 and should be seeing the Statue of Lib erty about Oct. 9. Our Steward's Dept., headed by Ronald McLean and ably assisted k EXX-MOR-006437 10 Temporary Employees Join "Regulars" On Oct. 1 eight temporary employees were transferred to regular employee status. These addi tions, plus 2 men made regular in September, bring the total number of transfers from tem porary' to regular to 31 so far this year. The following are the new regular employees: Ricardo L. Barros Robert E. Melton Derik G. Benson Anthony Santagata Robert H. Dunham Alexander M. Tepper James S. Ellis Alfred P. Wade Charles R. McNeil Albert L. Wooten Emergency Procedures at Sea What is the proper procedure for obtaining medical assistance at sea? What information should be included in the first message requesting medical aid? What is a search and rescue aircraft telling you when it circles your vessel, crosses your bow' and heads off on a straight course? The answers to these and other questions about obtaining medical help at sea and die meaning of aircraft maneuvers are contained in the U. S. Coast Guard's Amver Bulletin, issue No. 8-66. Copies of the Bulletin have recently been sent to all vessels in the Fleet and it is suggested that ships' personnel may wish to refresh their under standing of these subjects by reading the articles on pages 4, 5 and 6. The right answers may save lives. 2nd New Union at Bayway Petitions NLRB for Election The new Bayway Refinery & Chemical Workers Union, seeking to displace Teamster Local 866 as bargaining agent for 800 hourly wage employees, petitioned the National Labor Relations Board for a representation election on Sept. 22. The BR&CW action follows a similar petition filed Sept. 16 by the Bayway Employees Salary Union. TAFFRAIL TALK "Nice tilings happen sometimes throughout the Fleet," Harold R. Smith, Chief Steward in the Esso Chester, wrote. "Here is one example." "The Chester left the dock at Bayway about 6 a.m., Aug. 19. At 6:30 my wife tried to reach me by 'phone with no success. As a last resort she called the Dispatchers' office and the wheels started turning. "As we came around St. George, S. I., the tug Esso Massachusetts came churning up behind us. by Stephen Johnson and Joseph Martin in the galley, did a tremen dous job and we want to heartily commend them. In plain words, we really ate. In Bombay taxis can be hired very reasonably and they manage to show you the city at its inter esting best and worst. I (Ralph Maupin) took one of the trips and honestly will never forget it. Of course, all the cars have steering wheels on the right side and drivers are supposed to keep in the ieft lane. I use the word supposed ad visedly. My driver, who was a bearded Sikh, seemed to hate all the other estimated 18,000 taxis and literally despised pedestrians, trucks and regular motorists. His horn was the most important piece of equip ment on the car. I soon found the best advice to follow was, as they say in New York -- "Relax and enjoy the ride." He did move about the city safely (?) and I concen trated on the sights, which included Hindu temples, the Hanging Gar dens, Gateway to India, Taj Mahal Hotel and, about as much as any thing, the people themselves with their contrasts in dress and customs. India must certainly be the most fascinatingly different country in the world. After about 6 hours I returned from my tour, very proud that I was not the slightest bit shaky or unnerved. The driver, pleased that his horn had held out and that he had only scared several dozen of his enemies, hitting not a one, assisted me from the cab. He received his pay from my suddenly shaky hand and helped me to the gangway. When I reached my room, I took a tranquilizer and aspirin and fell into bed for a much-needed rest. In the engineroom one day, a choir headed by 1st Asst. Charlie Holton and made up of 2nd Asst. Arch Griffith, 3rd Asst. John Cham Primitive transportation but, not too unlike New York's garment district. -W' `is! i berlain, Oiler Ralph Maupin and FWT Homer "Slim" King, gave an impromptu concert. They sang "Happy Birthday" to 3rd Asst. Rob ert McQuillan while he stood agape on the operating flat. The quality of the singing might be questioned but certainly not the decibel count. (Note: The choir was disbanded im mediately following its first and only concert.) Mr. Price wants to say that he has never seen a finer group of officers and crew members together on one ship. They were a credit to themselves, to the Company and to our country. Each man was a gen tleman and duties were performed in a very commendable manner. (left center) AB Ben Autrey makes a friend. (right center) A well-dressed Indian with status symbol -- umbrella. (below) Not much traffic here. Sign reads "Income Tax Department." ... .yyj \ % % /i EXX-MOR-006438 The Captain, using a megaphone, was shouting `Harold Smith'. I stepped on deck and the message was loud and clear --- `You have a granddaughter -- all is well -- congratulations.' "The Massachusetts turned hack and the Ches ter went to sea with a proud, happy grandpappy. "To some it may mean very little but to me it was a wonderful gesture by those who went out of their way to deliver news that meant so much to me." ** CAPTAIN RICHARD J. (RED) LYNCH has joined the Baton Rouge Branch Office to assist with the loading of tankers and barges. He will be engaged mainly in liaison work -- coordinating loading plans with vessel and refinery personnel. Captain Lynch has over 20 years' service with the Company, most of it in towboats, where he advanced from Deck hand to Captain. * ** It takes all kinds to make a world, the saying goes, and among the kinds are those who turn their backs on education and others who work their heads off to get it. Among the latter is Albert J. Isakson (2nd Mate, ret. Aug. 1963) who has been driving 138 miles a day between Baytown and Beaumont to attend Lamar State College of Technology. A1 graduated last month, getting a BS degree, 6 points toward a Masters, a certificate in elemen tary education and a certificate in special educa tion for the mentally retarded. He did it all in 3 years, after retiring from the Company on dis ability. And he never finished high school. A1 is teaching now at South Park High School, Beaumont, helping to prepare mentally retarded 17-19 year olds for a useful life. He received a $1,800 scholarship last year to study for this -work. OBITUARY - Chief Cook Caesar Burgo, Jr., 53, died Sept. 25 as a result of complications following lung surgery at the USPHS Hospital, Staten Island, N. Y. Sur viving are his wife Beatrice and 3 daughters, Joyce 17, Jeanne 19, and Mrs. Barbara Perriera. Mr. Burgo had over 18 years' service in the ESSO FLEET NEWS is published for the seagoing em ployees of the Marine Department, Humble Oil & Refining Co.: Joseph Andreae, General Manager: Sydney Wire. Assistant General Manager. W. E. Gardner, 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 proud gentleman with the bulging biceps is Jack Law (FWT, ret. July 1, 1963) and he's holding a 4' 2", 32-lb. king fish caught off Miami Beach, July 29. The modest lady is Mrs. Law, who caught the fish, won the $19 pool for the heaviest fish and was voted the most unpopular woman aboard the party boat. Jack sailed in the fleet for 29 Vi years and has been living in Florida since June 1964. Fleet as Second Cook and Chief Cook. His last ship wras the Esso Lexington. Peter Olsen, 85, a Chief Engr. in the Fleet for 16 years before he retired on Jan. 1, 1946, died Sept. 16 at his home in Brook lyn, N. Y. Two daughters, Mrs. Alice Kelhetter and Mrs. Corinne Bruns, survive. Bom in Norway and raised in New Zealand, Mr. Olsen had a 50-year sea career which included service in racing yachts, the Morgan Line and Ward Line. Ogden E. Power, 69, retired Chief Engr., died Sept. 21 in Bent Mountain, Va., where he and Mrs. Power had recently moved from Old Lyme. Conn. Mr. Power started his marine career in Long Island Sound steamers in 1916, served in the Navy in World War I and had nearly 29 years of credited service with Esso. He survived the sinking of the Heinrich v. Riedemann in 1942 and was Chief in the Esso Zurich for 9 years prior to his retirement. Jan. 1. 1958. Glen A. Tracht, 68, former Seagoing Personnel Assistant at the Baytown Office, died Sept. 19. Surviving are his wife Bosalind and son David. Mr. Tracht had over 24 years of Company sendee and had been retired for 5 years. mmmmmmy/QRDS OF THE WISE You may be rewarded for finding lots of things but not for finding fault ... A smile is a gentle curved line that sets a lot of things straight. Bombay and Beyond By BILL E. TYRA, AB, Esso Miami PART II The first installment of Mr. Tyra's adventures in and im pressions of Bombay (EFN Sept. 22) ended with him and a group of Esso Miami crewmen on a taxi tour of the city. The account of the sightseeing, and further events of the Miami's voyage, continues here. -- Ed. Reaching our destination of Mala bar Hill, we visited the 2 parks -- Kamala Nehru and Sir Pherozeshah Mehta Garden -- that are across the road from each other. We enjoyed just walking around and being far away from the hubbub, hustle and bustle that is Bombay. In one of the parks there is a giant Banyan tree. The Indians refer to the trees as people trees, there being some reli gious significance. I was impressed by the leaves, which can (when properly prepared) be made into artistic and ornamental miniature paintings. The other park features a zoo of life-like animals that have been shaped from clipped hedges. Here on the hill there is a clean, openair restaurant where you can sip a fresh lemon soda or eat a dish of delicious mango melba ice cream. And the sightseer is overwhelmed by the splendor and beauty of the panorama of Bombay from this vantage point. There is a real zoo in Victoria Gardens, which is in another part of the city. There, if you care to, you can ride on an elephant or camel. Before you send any of your per sonal laundry ashore, you should first visit the Garment Ghats or Bombay Public Laundry. All the city's laundry is brought here to be At the Bombay Public Laundry . . . washed and ruined. After seeing some of the dingy dhotis being dunked, then dashed, slammed and beaten against slabs of concrete, you wonder whether the people you see in tattered and torn clothing are poor or if they have been sending out their laundry. Visit to a Russian Freighter Several of us had the opportunity to visit a Russian freighter berthed across from us at the Alexandra Docks. This friendly exchange of visits started when several of the officers from the S.S. Leningorsfc came over to exchange movies. Un fortunately, we had no film to swap but our officers, being gentlemen, were hospitable and made the Rus sians welcome, in spite of the lan guage barrier. On going aboard the Russian ship, some of the seamen were ill at ease for a while. They were flabber gasted by our good will visit. We were never able to talk to them because they could not or would not talk to us. We did talk freely with several of the officers and even exchanged gifts with them. Their gifts to us consisted mostly of post cards, matches, cigarettes, lapel pins and Russian propaganda booklets. Our gifts to them were matches, cigarettes and American "propa ganda" booklets, such as Playboy, Look and Reader's Digest. If there is truth in the old saying "It's not the gift but the thought behind it" -- it's possible that our chance meeting has helped to estab lish better relations and under standing between 2 countries, 2 peoples and 2 systems of govern ment, regardless of the value of the gifts. On the evening of the Leningorsk's departure, and as she was moving away from the dock, her whole crew lined up at the rail and waved while their Captain blew a . . . washing clothes is plainly a fatiguing business. (above) Esso Miami men and their guide at an open air restaurant overlooking Bombay, (left) Entrance to Sir Pherozeshah Mehta Garden, where shrubs are trained and clipped to resemble life-like ani mals. Photos by AB Bill E. Tyra salute, which was answered by the Miami. On our last day in Bombay we received orders to proceed to the Persian Gulf and load for Japan. So, as the last bit of grain went ashore, workmen were busy sweeping the decks and removing the vacuum tubing and tripod stands. The sound ing rods and other gear used in grain trade were removed from the tanks and stored away for possible future use. Making Ready for Oil As we departed Bombay the seas were rather rough but we began tank washing and then drying. This was to be the hardest and hottest tank cleaning most of us have ever experienced. It was made more dif ficult because most of the valves became jammed when minute par ticles of wheat packed down in between the valve stem and the packing gland. And nearly all the tape reels on the Shand & Jurs tank gages had to be removed and rewound or replaced because the tapes had "jumped" the take-up reels and become tangled. The Pumpmen worked several days un tangling them. The heat was almost unbearable in the daytime, so we did as much tank cleaning at night as we could. But it was still just about an around-the-clock affair. After we got to Ras Tanura, Saudi Arabia, where we were to pick up an MSTS cargo for Japan, we were still busy drying up the tanks, free ing jammed valves, rewinding tapes and were beginning to wonder if we would ever finish. But we did. And as the jet and diesel fuel began to pour in at Ras Tanura, the grain tanker once again became an oil tanker and our thoughts were no longer of Bombay, but what lies ahead -- and beyond. 3BS' A 'm -W = ` EXX- M O R-006440