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PUBLISHED BY THE MARINE DEPARTMENT. HUMBLE OIL & REFINING COMPANY Volume 13, Number 11 June 7, 1971 The 28,723 Esso Dallas, above, was built in 1950. She sailed as the Esso Ber muda until 1962 when she was renamed the Esso Dallas. The Enco Gloucester, below, formerly the Esso Gloucester, was built in 1953. Each ship is 628 feet long with a beam of 82V2 feet and a designed speed of 14.2 knots. Marine Disposing of 2 Ships: Enco Gloucester, Esso Dallas The Marine Department will dispose of two ships within the next few months. The ships are the Enco Gloucester, which has been in West Coast trade since June, 1969, and the Esso Dallas on outward charter to another company since July, 1970. Although the disposal of the two vessels reduces the fleet to 20 ships, the company still has the largest privately-owned fleet of tankers operating under the U.S. flag. Why is the company planning to remove these two vessels from the (See SHIPS, continued on page 2) ESA Ratifies New Agreement; Major Changes Listed The Esso Seamen's Association on May 25 voted 198 to 104 to ratify a new three-year Agreement. The Agreement is effective from January 1, 1971, through August 31, 1973. The Agreement includes a wage (and pension) reopener effective on or after August 31, 1972. Major changes in the new Agreement are: A lump sum payment to each employee on the active rolls on the ratification date (May 25, 1971). A second lump sum payment to be made to each employee on the active rolls on December 1, 1971. Increases in hourly overtime rates effective June 1, 1971. Increases in the monthly sums for work performed during reg ularly scheduled hours on Satur days, Sundays, and holidays, all effective on June 1. Payment of penalty time rates for loading or discharging bulk cargo between 5 p.m. and 8 a.m. on week days, effective June 1. Payment of a flat rate of $5 for local transportation to each un licensed employee at the port where he is relieved to go on paid leave and when he joins a vessel in his base port, o Temporary employee who ac cumulates 12 months credited service becomes a regular em ployee. Several changes were also made in the Working Rules Ar ticles of the Agreement. (SHIPS, continued from page 1) fleet? What happens to personnel assigned to these ships? What about the future of the fleet? For answers to these and other pertinent questions, Fleet News inter viewed Marine General Manager R. C. Curtis. Q) Mr. Curtis, why is the com pany disposing of the Enco Gloucester and Esso Dallas? A) Changes in the nation's supply pattern for crude and crude products has thrown us long on tonnage so that now we have too much vessel capacity and not enough cargo demand to fill this capacity. Q) Couldn't these changes have been predicted in 1967 when we ordered three new 75,000dwt tankers which obviously added to our excessage ton nage problem? A) There were several reasons for ordering these new tankers. For one thing, Humble refin eries and key marketing termi nals are equipped to handle tankers of the 75,000-dwt class. Therefore, it's more economi cal to take advantage of these facilities by using large ships which can carry more products --reduce the number of costly roundtrips, for example. For another thing, in 1967 we thought that a pipeline bring ing Prudhoe Bay crude to the ice-free port of Valdez, Alaska, would be operating within a few years and we would be ready with ships to transport this oil to West Coast refin eries. Well, the pipeline is still several years away yet. Even though this business did not materialize, we were still able to outward charter some of our ships to various foreign move ments, including four grain shipments in 1970. But the foreign situation has become more stable so that now we do not foresee continued profit able utilization of smaller tankers in this business in the near future. With no indication of an increase in tanker de mand in the U.S. in the near future, and with the reduction of our foreign charter busi ness, we now find that our fleet is too big. Q) Will the Gloucester and Dallas be sold, traded, or what? A) It depends upon the best re turn we can get for our invest ment in each vessel. However, considering the market today, and what is forecast in the future, we're reasonably sure that the ships will be sold through competitive bidding. Q) How do you determine what ships to sell? A) We look at a number of things, including the size and condi tion of each vessel, its cargo carrying capabilities for prod ucts and crude consistent with our forecasted requirements, and probable sales value. Those are a few of the factors we consider. Q) When will the Gloucester and Dallas be removed from com pany service? A) We expect to take them out of Humble service in July and August. Q) The Gloucester is currently in West Coast service supplying crude and products to Benicia Refinery and other customers. Will another ship in the fleet be assigned to this service? A) Yes. We plan to transfer the T.J SHIPMATES WERE on deck to wish Rolf Hallesen, AB in the Esso Philadelphia, good luck and to present him with a wallet con taining money. Although he has no definite plans for spending his retirement years, he intends to put the gift to good use. Stand- Page 2 Esso Newark to the West Coast upon completion of her off shore trip to Bombay. Hope fully, we can get a backhaul from the Persian Gulf to the West Coast. Q) What will happen to the reg ular employees assigned to these two vessels? A) We always want to provide jobs for our regular employ ees. This is one of the first things we consider when mak ing changes in the fleet. The regular employees in the Glou cester and the Dallas will be assigned to other vessels in the fleet. Although every effort will be made to assign them to their rated jobs, a few men in the Engine Department may be asked to accept lower rat ings until vacancies in their regular ratings occur, probably as a result of natural attrition. The average employee in our seagoing fleet is about 50 years old. The main thing is that we want to provide job openings, especially at this time when jobs are scarce in the merchant fleet. Q) Mr. Curtis, does the company plan to dispose of any more ships in the fleet? A) Based on our business require ments at present, the disposal of these two vessels will place us in balance. Naturally, an in crease or decrease would dic tate our future requirements. '3. . i/ 's$ ** \ " Vr .1 ing next to Hallesen is Captain Henry Wichman, master of the ship. When Hallesen retired May 1, he ended more than 48 years at sea, 23 of them with the Esso fleet. He joined the company as AB in the Esso Bayway and served in various vessels. Esso Fleet News X u< ctiSi .< C e 2U}: CJ *u3 a. Ic i k- - THF. UNI VF.KSITY n P T E Y it a t a m c t im Steve English, right, prepares to turn over some reports to his successor, Ken Waldorf. Mr. English is completing his vacation before retiring as Marine repair superintendent on July 1. Steve English Retires July 1 Steve M. English, Marine repair superintendent, retires July 1 with 41 years of company service. He joined the Standard Ship ping Company, a Jersey affiliate, in 1930 as Ordinary Seaman. He served on various ships, advanc ing to junior engineer in 1939, third assistant engineer in 1940, second assistant in 1941, and first assistant in 1942. He was serving in that capacity in the Esso Provi dence in the dangerous war year 1942 when all sinking records were broken. Although the Provi dence suffered a direct hit during an air raid while bunkering ships in the harbor at Augusta, Sicily, the crew was able to complete discharging her important cargo of special Navy fuel oil and to un load the 241 belly tanks she carried in her forward hold. The Providence, with wreckage held in place by wire cables, steamed to Malta for repairs. While there, one of the ship's am munition magazines mysteriously caught fire. As powder containers burned and 20-millimeter shells exploded, First Assistant Steve English instantly started the fire pump, putting 100 pounds of water pressure on the fireline and helped extinguish the flames be fore they could spread to the rest of the ship. After the war, Mr. English re turned to Standard Shipping Com pany and became chief engineer in 1946. In 1950, he transferred from the seagoing fleet to Bayway Refinery as Marine repair inspec tor. His next transfer was to the New York office in 1950. He later advanced to the position of super vising inspector and was named assistant manager (Repair Divi sion) in 1958. In 1961, when the Marine De partment transferred to Houston, Mr. English transferred with it as Marine repair superintendent. Although Mr. English does not have any immediate plans for his retirement years, he and his family will continue to live in Houston. "I have a lot of friends here, especially co-workers whom I've enjoyed working with during my career. I'll be seeing them. Otherwise, I'm just going to take each day as it comes, at least for a while," he said. At retirement ceremonies in Houston on May 28, Marine em ployees presented him with a portable TV set. Waldorf Succeeds English Ken Waldorf, who has been serving as assistant to the repair superintendent since early last year, has been named to succeed Steve English. Mr. Waldorf, who was an economic analyst in Marine Logistics and Planning prior to becoming assistant repair superintendent, holds a BS de gree from the U.S. Naval Acad emy. He served six years as a submarine officer in the Navy and then attended the University of California where he received a master's degree in Business Ad ministration. He joined Humble April 1, 1969. Check Withholding To Avoid Big Lump Sum Payment In Aprs! Many taxpayers are likely to have too little withheld from their paychecks this year, the Internal Revenue Service warns. For one thing, the top withholding rates are limited to 24 per cent for single persons and 25 per cent for married persons, while actual tax rates run much higher. In ad dition, withholding is based on the new 13 per cent standard de duction. But there's also a $1,500 ceiling on that deduction, and withholding doesn't allow for that. Taxpayers most likely to need extra withholding include: a Employees who expect to earn more than $11,500 in 1971 and intend to claim the $1,500 standard deduction or itemize deductions totaling less than 13 per cent of their salaries. -s Single employees who expect to earn $15,000 or more. Married employees who expect to earn $25,000 or more and whose spouses are not work ing. 9 All working couples. Employees in any of these cate gories who wish to avoid paying a large tax bill next April may either reduce their present num ber of claims exemptions or sign up for additional withholdings. Either of these methods may be accomplished simply by using Form W-4 available from masters and branch offices. June 7, 1971 Page 3 / EXX-MOR-008158 I--TAFFRAIL TALK has been modernized over the years, we still have to keep a watchful eye over how food is ordered, stored, and prepared. And it still takes the skill and know-how of a good cook to plan, prepare, and serve nutritious, tasty meals three times a day to 30 or more men, whether it's mix ing dough, cooking steaks, or baking or frying potatoes." BEARDED WONDERS OF THE DEEP--Beards are in style aboard the Esso Lima for both the officers and men. Sporting beards are from left: Captain Bertram O. Christensen, master, David Esdale, 3rd mate, Andres Martinez, AB, Paul Wood, AB, and Harold Ronhave, chief mate. Captain Christensen reports that the trip to the United Kingdom was pleasant, despite fog and rough weather both ways. He said that the peo ple of Hamble, England where the crew stayed for four days, were impressed with the men of the Esso Lima. "The people of the village told me the crew's deportment was the most ex emplary they had seen in any American ship visiting there," he said. The Esso Lima is now back to stateside duty and is currently en route to St. Croix, Virgin Island to take on jet fuel for Rota, Spain. IF YOU EVER get down Florida way, you have a standing invitation to visit Stanley R. Anthony, AB, who retires August 1 and is now on paid leave. He writes: "Just a note while I'm waiting for my wife to return from a shopping trip with the family car. We're going to hitch up the 15footer and buzz the mile and a half to the Gulf as the Reds are running. Sure, I use Esso in the Evinrude 35. I'm writing to invite all my friends down for some Fun in the Sun, providing they bring a little rain." Stanley lives at 106 N.E. Glendale Avenue in Port Charlotte, Florida. Bet ter write him before you go, however, as he is mighty well known and has lots of friends. Reser vations may be needed. You might need to bring food in case the fishing fizzles. MAURICE WISHNOFF, steward in the Esso New Orleans, checks a pan of rolls to make sure that they are browned just right for serving as Chef John Baptista takes them out of the oven. Wishnoff, with over 20 years service in the fleet, is one Marine's best-known and long-time stew ards. "The changes I've seen in the galleys of ships range from coal burners to oil to the elec tric stoves and ovens we now use," he recalled, and added: "Although our cooking equipment "I WOULD LIKE TO thank you for the blueprints you sent me of the San Francisco class tankers. I am enclosing a picture of the model I am build ing from the plans as she was about two months ago." So wrote Gregory Brooks, captain of the tug Esso Bay State. His letter to George Boer, draftsman in the Marine Technical Section, also contained the information that Captain Brooks is just finishing the deck piping and the installa tion of radio control equipment in his model. "By radio control I will be able to steer the vessel; vary the speed, both forward and reverse; and stop the engine. I plan on having the model ballasted to her light sailing condition, but through a deck hatch I will be able to add more lead to bring her down to her marks. I'll send more photos when she finally hits the water." We'll be looking forward to seeing some fine action shots, George. Page 4 Esso Fleet N CUPIF.IJ FROM THE COLLECTIONS IN THE CENTER FOR AMERICAN Hi.STOK THE UNIVERSITY OF TPY & c a t a iic t im RECENT DEATHS SETH G. DAVIS, third assistant engineer at the time of his retire ment in 1962, died at Portland, Maine, on May 2. After sailing with other shipping companies, Mr, Davis joined the Frederick Ewing as second pumpman in 1929. His first licensed berth was third as sistant in the Benjamin Brewster in 1934. During World War II, Mr. Davis was first assistant in the Elisha Walker for 16 months, sail ing in the Pacific, Indian Ocean, and Persian Gulf. He also experi enced 33 days of VI and VII rocket attacks in Antwerp. He last served in the Esso Bridgeport. SAM BENEDICT, bargeman in the Inland Waterways fleet, Baton Rouge Branch, died May 11. He was employed in 1927 as second class deckhand in what was then the Lighterage Department of the Standard Oil Company of Louisi ana. In 1930, he advanced to first class deckhand and in 1937 be came pumpman and worked at the Carrollton Avenue Terminal in New Orleans. He became a bargeman in 1941 and continued in that rating until retirement in 1958. SVERRE JOHNSEN, who retired from the fleet in 1966, died of a heart attack on May 20 at New Port Richey, Florida. Mr. Johnsen joined the fleet in 1930 as ma chinist in the E. J. Sadler. He was sailing as third assistant by the end of the year, became first as sistant in 1935, and sailed as chief in the Allan Jackson in 1937, For five years, commencing in 1941, he was on the relieving staff in New York and from 1948 to 1950 he was a repair inspector. His last berth was in the Esso Gettysburg as chief engineer. Last Lost-Time Injury In Esso Fleet May 19 The Esso Baltimore is shown here loading products through the five new marine loading arms at Baton Rouge docks. The new equipment not only permits faster loading of tankers and barges, but it also enables the job to be done with less risk of spillage. New Loading Arms To Shorten Turnaround Of Ships, Barges Loading At Baton Rouge Five new 12-inch (diameter) marine loading arms are helping to shorten turnaround times for vessels loading or discharging products at Baton Rouge Refinery docks. This is the second set of arms now in service there. The first set, installed about three years ago, has showed an average saving of 3'/2 to 4 hours of turnaround time, depending on the type of product being han dled. This is significant consider- Masters, Pilots, Mates Accept Amendment The Organization of Masters, Pilots and Mates of Baton Rouge, Louisiana, on Sunday, May 30, voted 34 to 7 to accept the Baton Rouge Branch proposed threeyear Amendment to their existing Agreement. The Amendment had to do with wages and working practices. IIWU Agrees To Amendment The Independent Industrial Workers Union has agreed to a three-year Amendment to their existing Agreement. The Amend ment concerns the company's share of contributions to hospital ization, and wage increases over the contract period of 7 per cent, 6 per cent, and 5 per cent. ing that delays in port whether caused by slow loading rates, breakdowns in equipment, or inef ficiency of personnel, costs from $200 to more than $1,000 an hour, depending on the size of the ship and market conditions. The new equipment features several improvements over the first set of arms which are hy draulically controlled from a tower located nearby. The new set can be operated from any point in the dock area--even from aboard ship. Should a problem develop in the radio-controlled equipment, the arms can be op erated directly from a hydraulic console. The new arms also feature quick connect/disconnect coup lers which not only provide a sav ings in time in these operations, but also make it possible for a quick disconnect in the event of an emergency. Changes were also made in the piping manifold that ties into the loading arms so that now ``clean" and ``dirty" products do not flow through the same manifold header lines. This reduces manifold cleaning time that otherwise would be necessary when switch ing from loading one type of product to another. June 7, 1971 Page 5 EXX-MOR-008160 p x exploration and production of crude oil to the supply, trans portation, and marketing of petro leum products. Humble's portion of the course included Marine planning and op erating procedures. Brom Mook- hoek and Al Hansen, both in the Marine Logistics and Planning Section, gave talks describing features of tanker construction, U. S. tanker capacity, the tanker charter market, Inland Waterways operations, and so forth. During one of the several field Government representatives board Esso New Orleans for guided tour. trips taken during the meeting, the government representatives toured Humble's Baytown Re Government Representatives Visit Ship finery and visited the Esso New Orleans in port there. The group A total of more than 50 men other oil companies. Each com was conducted on the tour of the and women holding petroleum as pany was responsible for a por vessel by W. W. Cottle of the Bay signments in various government tion of the program which con town Branch Office, and Captain units learned more about tankers sisted of talks on various aspects Taisto Johnson, master of the and their operations during a De of the petroleum industry, from New Orleans. fense Fuels Indoctrination Course in Houston from May 24 through May 28. The course, sponsored by the ESSO PHILADELPHIA American Petroleum Institute, was conducted by Humble and five * J.4-. John Nardone Commended When a fire broke out recently in the galley of Esso Barge No. 18, the quick action of John Nardone, bargeman, saved the vessel from serious damage. Nardone quickly sounded the alarm and proceeded to fight the fire singlehandedly before help arrived. In a letter to Nardone com mending him for his efforts, Syd ney Wire, Marine assistant general manager, said: "This letter is to let you know that the Management appreciates your good work. It will be made a part of your perma nent record of service--a hearty Well Done." ESSO FLEET NEWS is published every other Monday for active and retired employees of the Marine Department, Humble Oil & Refining Co.; Russell C. Curtis, General Manager; Sydney Wire, Assistant General Manager. GENE LEGLER, Editor Contributions and suggestions are invited and should be addressed to the Editor, ESSO FLEET NEWS, Humble Oil & Refining Co., P. O. Box 2180, Room 4193, Houston, Texas 77001. Page 6 PERSONNEL IN the Esso Philadelphia were presented the Marine De partment Certificate of Safety along with the National Safety Council flag recently, recognizing them for completing the 1970 calendar year without a lost-time accident. Kneeling from the left are: A. B. Randall, marine safety officer; Captain Henry Wichman; William J. Williams, radio officer; and Stephen Jones, messman. Standing from the left are: Rolf Hallesen, AB; Gene Reckling, AB; Will Clementsen, AB; Russell S. Sawyer, third mate; Joseph Calvo, OS; Thomas A. Naylon, OS; Michael J. Torres, OS; Edward H. Lang, AB; Richard N. Presson, oiler; Walter A. Johnson, second mate; Juan C. Razo, AB; and William M. Hyatt, second assistant. Esso Fleet News td EXX-MOR-008161