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Launch ceremony, "Esso Houston", part - 1
WORK UNDERWAY FOR HUMBLE SUPERTANKER
Keel of a 66,500 ton supertanker ordered by Humble Oil and Refining Co. is guided onto construction blocks to begin the project at Newport
News Shipbuilding and Dry Dock Co. Shipyard officials, in releasing this view Wednesday, explained the light color of the subassembly is
a pre-coating of anti-corrosive material usually applied to cargo spaces after construction. The still-unnamed tanker will be launched in
October and delivered in December. It is one of two highly automated supertankers to be built here as competition with overland pipe lines.
HOLDEN INTRODUCES ESSO HOUSTON SPONSOR
Donald A. Holden, president of Newport News Shipbuilding and Dry Dock Co., introduces Mrs. Carl E. Reistle Jr. to the audience gathered for the
launchingof the 800-foot-long Esso Houston. Mrs. Reistle, wife of Humble Oil Co.'s chairman of the board, christened the new tanker at 3 p.m.
Saturday.
Cover of the souvenir launching program for Esso Houston, September 26, 1964.
TIGHT SQUEEZE-BUT SHE MADE IT!
Tanker Esso Houston slides down Shipway 8 at Newport News Shipbuilding and Dry Dock Co. It was a tight but safe fit. Special measures were
taken to insure success in launching the vessel's 116-foot beam down the ways after she was christened Saturday. Mrs. Carl E. Reistle Jr.
sponsored the huge tanker. Her daughter, Mrs. George F. Pierce Jr, was the matron of honor for the ceremonies,
Source : Daily Press (Newport News' local newspaper) in January, 1964.
( Thanks to S. Dale Hargrave )
See also : Launch ceremony, "Esso Houston", part - 2