Document jNekJ9wbe6ezOJbYEQ1dXjNqp

PUBLISHED BV THE MARINE DIVISION, HUMBLE OIL & REFINING CGMPANY Vol. 7, No. 6 April 8, 1965 Sailing Under the Esso Ova! Ahoy mates! Avast, belay and the like of that. Ye Ed. is back from the briny blue (and black and green and gray) and the old tired blood now tests 1.029 on the salinity indi cator-- and that means salty. . Boarded the Esso Baltimore at Harbor Island, March 13. (That "boarded" is a good word but it always brings up a mental image of a bearded, booted pirate coming over the side with a sword in his teeth and a pistol in each hand.) It was cloudy and threatening rain as we left the dock at 1119. Ran into a moderately choppy sea as soon as we passed the protection of the breakwater and the waters of Aransas Pass, a favorite spot for hundreds of porpoises. The sun broke through momentarily as if to wish bon voyage and then went back into hiding for the rest of the day. Weather and sea remained about the same for most of the 780 mile cross-Gulf passage but as we neared the Florida Keys on the morning of the 15th, waves subsided to wavelets and the sky cleared. From Dry Tortugas Lighthouse (abeam 1211, March 15) to Fowey Rocks, the last of the Florida Keylights, (abeam 2358) seas were calm, temperatures warm and as the ship bore around to the northeast, these pleasant conditions improved still further until they were perfect -- the sea like glass, the sun smiling, the sky a cloudless blue and the water a most gorgeous royal blue. It seemed just too perfect to be real or to last -- and it didn't. After striking out for Cape Hatteras at a point about opposite St. Augustine, the temperature dropped slightly and wind and sea began a gradual build-up lasting all through the night of the 16th and into the 17th. By suppertime on St. Patrick's Day, we'd had a little rain, a little spray over the starboard quarter and a 20-25 mph. NE breeze. By 2200 (abeam of Delaware Light- Captcfin Tom Lawton on the bridge. ship) temperature was down to 40, wind had increased and the Esso Baltimore's starboard quarter was buffeted .by oncoming seas that smacked her roundly and sent up plumes of spray which the wind hurled across the decks and as high as the wheelhouse windows. The ship, however, rode easily, rolling Esso Baltimore leaving Harbor Island, Tex. with the "punches", and Captain Lawton held course and speed. To our inexperienced eye it was rather rough but a seaman said next day, "Naw, that wasn't rough." This was a little disappointing to hear be cause we had been congratulating our lubberly stomach for maintain ing its composure -- and without the aid of pills. Arrival at Ambrose Lightship was made at 0700, March 18 and we went right on in to Bayway, tying up at 1055. The 1970 nautical mile passage was made in 4 days, 18 hrs., 10 min. for an average speed of 17.28 knots. The cargo consisted of 364,751 bbls. of Sweden and Refrugio crude. So much for the physical aspects of the trip; now for the personal. There was a good crew aboard the Baltimore (which is customary in our Fleet) and she is a happy ship (also not unusual). Everyone got along fine, putting in a good day's work, doing justice to good food and enjoying good company, good quarters and a good Skipper. Captain Lawton calls every man by his first name (often prefixed by Mr. or cousin) and he runs a good ship without strain or fuss. Sunday dinner: Clockwise from left: UM Patrick Curran, UM James The Steward's Dept. L. to r: Ch. Steward Lester Payne, Ch. Cook Oscar Garcia, 2nd Cook Jose Pires, OM Norman Stephens, CM Hedgepeth, ABs Manuel Correira, Abram Silva, Harry Curtin, Henri Brin and Adrian Martinez and OS Edwin Kielian. Joaquim Gonsalves, UM Patrick Curran and UM James Hedgepeth. Ml fill if At J* W- EXX-MOR-006970 V:. MM/2P Eryk Szalek and Pumpman Adolphe Koppel turn over a mooring winch with a king-size wrench to work in grease. FWT Wm. Katros and Oiler James O'Donnell (background) replace 3rd stage heater trap after renewing 2 eroded sections of pipe. One of the best parts of the trip was talking with the officers and crewmembers and photographing their activities. Here are some of the jottings from our notebook and the exposures on the film. AB Harry Curtin rebuilt the in terior of his home in Toms River, N. J., installing knotty pine and walnut paneling. He also built a cement block garage. Chief Steward Lester Payne and Utilitymen James Hedgepeth and Patrick Curran were in the original Esso Baltimore crew. Jim spent 6 years in the Navy (1940-46) and was also on the maiden voyages of the Esso Washington, Lexington and Boston. Pat recently received his 20-Year Service Emblem. He can make the neatest "hospital corners" you'd ever want to see. Chief Engineer Robert L. Reed does a brisk business selling a line of imported German surgical steel knives. On paid leaves he travels the state of Mississippi and Mrs. Reed "minds the store" when he's at sea. AB Manuel Correira completed the assembly of a "Heathkit" port able radio on this trip. He also made a hi-fi set at home. Third Asst. Henry Manning was in the "Lost Convoy" in northern Russia during World War II. He was Oiler for 2 years in our Beaconhill, one of the tankers in that convoy. Captain Lawton sailed on the Great Lakes in Ford Motor Co. freighters during the depression. "They were luxury ships in regard to crew accommodations," Captain Lawton said. "And that was when you were lucky to get 2 buckets of fresh water for a bath on some ships." AB Henri (Frenchy) Brin hails from the island of St. Barthelemy, in the French West Indies. The tiny island is about 175 miles east by south of Puerto Rico. Second Mate James Christenson is the son of Captain Thomas B. Christenson, who retired Jan. 1, 1958 with a 47-year sea career, 31 years with Esso. MM/2P Eryk Szatek, of Fairhaven, Mass., built his own 5-room house and attached garage except for contracting out the foundation and plumbing. He has a power tool equipped workshop in the garage and always has some project plan ned or in progress. Next in line is a back porch and patio, then radio controls to open the garage doors from a transmitter in his car. Third Mate Herb Trenoweth has been going to sea since 1924, when he was 14 years old. He started in AB Adrian Martinez at a never-ending job -- scaling and painting. i -Esso Baltimore's Complement- Thomas K. Lawton Joseph E. Johnson James C. Christenson Herbert A. Trenoweth Paul E. Genest Master Chief Mate Second Mate Third Mate Third Mate Robert L. Reed Chief Engineer Richard L. Argenbright First Asst. Robert T. Spetz Second Asst. Henry L. Manning Third Asst. James E. Fowler Third Asst. John W. Heistand Radio Officer Stephen Yaroschak Ord. Seaman Edwin W. Kielian Ordinary Seaman Adolphe G. Koppel Pumpman Eryk T. Szatek MM/2nd Pumpman Alfred P. Wade James P. O'Donnell Peter W. Schwab Oiler Oiler Oiler Mariano P. Talclay William Katros Paul G. Ayala FWT FWT FWT Henri D. Brin Abram M. Silva Robert Wallace Manuel Correira Harry J. Curtin Adrian Martinez Able Seaman Able Seaman Able Seaman Able Seaman Able Seaman Able Seaman Antone M. Gomes Ordinary Seaman Lester M. Payne Oscar Garcia Jose D. Pires Chief Steward Chief Cook Second Cook Norman E. Stephens Joaquim J. Gonsalves James B. Hedgepeth Patrick J. Curran Off'rs Mess. Crew Mess. Utilityman Utilityman Chief Mate Joseph Johnson demonstrates a line-throwing gun after a fire and boat drill. 1st Asst. Richard Argenbright replacing cover of main generator lube oil cooler after cleaning -- one of a succession of maintenance and reconditioning jobs that kept him busy. iar'* S ft ?i -I fc-Tv 'M. .____ `m St -j .i-Afesf ? % EXX-MOR-006971 a tramp ship out of Providence, R. I. and has sailed "in all kinds". He was torpedoed twice in World War II -- a Liberty and a troopship. You've heard the expression "You'd better do something (or not do something) or your name is Mudd." But did you know where the expression came from? Dr. Sam uel Alexander Mudd, who set the broken left leg of President Lin coln's assassin, John Wilkes Booth. Dr. Mudd was sentenced to life imprisonment at Fort Jefferson on Garden Key, in the Dry Tortugas, but was pardoned after 4 years by President Andrew Johnson. Our sighting of Dry Tortugas Lighthouse gave Chief Mate Joseph E. Johnson a fine opportunity to impart this historic background from his selfstyled "vast store of useless infor mation". Not only do Mr. Johnson's talents include a seemingly inex haustible supply of stories and facts but he is a canny pinochle player, too. Here's one of "Johnson's little gems". An Italian was preparing to take his grandfather's photo graph. When all was set, he said to the old man, "OK Pop, say cheese." "Mozzarella", promptly obliged the old man. On this note we leave you for the time being but we'll be back next issue with an account of our return trip. Esso New Orleans Delivery This Week The Company's second 66,700 dwt. supertanker, Esso New Orleans, ran successful sea trials April 5 and 6 and is scheduled to sail from Newport News on the 10th. She will go to New Orleans for a reception by city, state and business leaders and an open house on April 15, prior to loading her first cargo at Baton Rouge, where there will also be an open house. Esso Dallas' Doings We last reported the Esso Dallas (Captain Emil L. Wigh and Ch. Engr. Robert I. Giddens) enroute to San Francisco and Stockton, Calif, and Vancouver, Wash. She discharged MSTS cargoes at these ports March 9-14, returned to Aruba and left March 29 with another MSTS cargo for Yokohama and Sasebo, Japan. A card from Captain Wigh, postmarked Astoria, Ore., March 15 reads "Beautiful country out here -- but of course, Syosset, L. I. (the Captain's home) looks better." Enroute to San Francisco the end of Feb., the Dallas stopped at Balboa, C. Z. a few days for repairs. She moored at a dock among numerous Japanese fishing vessels and, according to Second Mate Jean Brower, "some seaman talk took place between the Japanese and our boys. It consisted of signs, pictures, pidgin Japanese, Mexican Eng lish and gestures. Neither group knows what the other said but at least it was all very friendly. "As the Dallas sailed," Mr. Brower said, "the fishing vessel just astern hailed our departure with the song Auld Lang Syne in English, Loud and Clear, on her public address system. So, to the ESSO FLEET NEWS is published for the seagoing em ployees of the Marine Division, 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. 0. Box 1512, Houston, Texas 77001. tune and words of `Should old acquaintance be forgot. . .' w-e sailed out of Balboa. It was a lovely gesture on their part." In checking the Esso Dallas' itinerary with the Esso Seattle's we find there is a possible chance they might meet. The Dallas is due at Yokohama, April 21 and Sasebo, the 24th while the Seattle's schedule is Guam, April 17 and Yokohama, the 23rd. If the Dallas should have an unavoidably slow discharge at Yokohama and the Seattle a real fast one at Guam .. . l. Chief Mate Edward Crawford opens a cargo valve on the Esso Chester to start the vessel's first loading of hot asphalt at Bayonne, March 2. The loading arms are steam traced and insulated and partly covered with specially treated canvas sleeves for added insul ation and protection. The Chester has been doing OK with the hot car goes, loading 159,232 bbls. on her first trip and 163,571 bbls. on the second. Discharges have been at Charleston, Baltimore and Everett. ;I \ ^4^ mm ' i z 71 s nSLi,--`B EXX-MOR-006972 Esso Scranton Enroute to the Pakistans The Esso Scranton is furrowing the Atlantic again after sailing with lube oils from Baytown, March 24, Smith's Bluff and Beaumont, the 26th and Baton Rouge, the 29th. She is due at Karachi, West Pakistan on May 4 and at Chittagong, East Pakistan, May 19. It's a 2,635-mile trip around the coast of India from Karachi to Chittagong -- about 8V2 days' steaming for the Scranton. It will be her first call at the latter port. The officers and crew members are: Roger A. Steward Neo H. Robinson Daniel E. Marshall Jack T. Stillman Master Ch. Mate 2nd Mate 3rd Mate Theodore C. Woodard Donald K. Johnson Matthew L. Tingle/ Jr. John J. Walsh Ch. Engr. 1 st Asst. 2nd Asst. 3rd Asst. Herbert O. Fairfield Radio Off'r Carl R. Blaisdeli Earl L. Braden Anthony Lazarczyk Albert Monteiro Francis A. Antonio Erich Huck AB AB AB AB AB AB Herbert F. Eddy Sidney Schmidt, Jr. OS OS Joao M. Cipriano os John Stupi William M. Gardner Pumpman MM/2P George A. Carter C. 1. Swonger, Jr. Durwood J. Hedgepeth Oiler Oiler Oiler Leo A. Roderick John J. Blair John J. Forker FWT FWT FWT Manuel J. Lopez Ch. Steward Stephen W. Johnson Ch. Cook Lawrence Gonsalves 2nd Cook Henry Hinojosa John Huntley Paulo F. Pimenlal Manuel B. Mingola OM CM UM UM Colonial Pipeline's Affect on Tankers A1 Reining and Vince Gilligan, of our Traffic Dept., made a study of the employment of U. S. Flag tankers for Feb. 1964, compared with Feb. 1965, when Colonial Pipeline was in full opera tion. The comparison is as follows: T2 Equivalents Feb. 1964 Feb. 1965 U. S. Gulf-East Coast services West Coast Intercoastal Sub-total Foreign service MSTS service Grain Inactive acct. ILA strike in Gulf; waiting grain Repairing Tied up or inactive Total 290 33 15 338 14 48 19 - 7 5 431 250 31 18 299 23 51 21 17 10 18 439 It can be seen that the direct impact of Colonial was equal to a reduction of 40 tankers of T2 size in the Gulf-East Coast service. Happily, however, other employment has been found, at least tem porarily, for most of this displaced tonnage. Three more T2 equivalents were in intercoastal service, 12 more in foreign and MSTS service and 19 more were in the grain trade. The 1965 figures include 8 new T2 equivalents added during year but show an increase of 13 in inactive status. The 439 T2 equivalents making up the Feb. 1965 total consisted of 268 tankers of 6,000 dwt. or over. TAFFRAIL TALKlyr r* er r*. e ry, 'WVggtfg Miss Jacqueline M. Gallagher, daughter of John J. Gallagher, AB in the Esso Lexington, has been awarded a Walter C. Teagle Nursing Schol arship to attend St. Vincent's Hospital, Staten Island, starting next Sept. Mr. Gallagher has over 19 years' service in the Fleet. ** * The Esso Jamestown went into the Norfolk Shipbuilding & Dry Dock Co. yard on March 24 for about 70 days' repairing and coating work. Coating Inspectors are Sebastian L. Koep, An thony Petryk, Carl E. Brooks, Jr. and (for training) Arnfinn Olsen. r OBITUARY ^ Captain Harold Holmberg, 65, who commanded the Esso Raleigh for 5*4 years before he retired on Jan. 1, 1958, died at his home in Southold, L. I., N. Y. on March 27. He is sur vived by a sister, Mrs. Carl Wasselius, of Montreal. Born in Finland, Captain Holmberg w'ent to sea at the age of 17 as an ordi nary seaman in the bark Helsingfors. He was in several other sailing ships of varous flags, spent 6 years ashore in construction work and joined Esso's Cerro Azul as AB in May 1932. He ad vanced through the officer ranks, serving as Chief Mate and Master throughout World War II. He had 23 years with the Company. Henry E. Davies, 84, former Assistant Port Engineer, died on March 7. He lived in Dan bury, Conn, since his retirement on Nov. 1, 1945. Mr. Davies was bom in Eng land and, after a 5-year appren ticeship in marine engineering, started his seagoing career as a 4th engineer. He joined the Fleet in June 1916 as Chief Engineer in the John D. Rockefeller, a berth he held for nearly 5 years. He sailed as Chief for 22 years before transferring ashore, first as head of the Bayonne Machine shop and later, Assistant Port Engineer.