Source : October, 1964 issue of the Shipyard Bulletin, Newport News Shipbuilding's in-house publication. Esso Houston - A Challenger Is Launched, Largest Tanker Ever Christened Here With a firm and precisely-aimed crash of the champagne bottle against the colossal bow of the even more colossal ship, the gracious sponsor sent the 66,700-ton challenger out of the trestle-guarded shipway into the open waters of the James River. RAMMING THE SHORES The challenger was named Esso Houston. The gracious sponsor with the firm wrist was Mrs. Carl F. Reisrle. And the perfectly-aimed crash came at 3 p.m. on September 26, 1964. This was the setting as the newest addition to Esso's 19-ship fleet was launched on a career which, Humble Oil & Refining Company officials predict, will see her and a sister ship challenge their chief competitor - the overland petroleum pipeline now being built from Texas to New Jersey. COACHING SESSION The presence of a light breeze, a bright sun and warm temperatures made it a pleasant day for a launching. Many Peninsula residents, including a good many Shipyard employees who were accompanied by wide-eyed sons and daughters, took advantage of the perfect weather to watch the biggest tanker ever built in the Yard slide smoothly out of her Shipway 8 birthplace. SKILLFUL SPLASH On the launching stand, which towered high above ground level because of the length of the ship, guests, dignitaries and Shipyard officials chatted about the day, the event and the enormity of the ship. Many of the Humble people had journeyed to Newport News from Houston, Texas, home offices for the petroleum firm. Mrs. Reistle and her party arrived at the christening stand about 20 minutes before launching time. The pinning of beautiful orchid corsages on the sponsor and matron of honor was the first order of business for Mrs. D.A. Holden, wife of the Yard President. With this accomplished, friendly greetings were exchanged by the principals and the guests, and the ship, which dwarfed the launching stand, became the chief topic of conversation. The christening principals stopped for a picture in front of the Esso Houston's huge bulbous bow. From left are G..F. Pierce Jr,, husband of the Matron of Honor; Mrs. D.A. Holden; Carl F. Reistle Jr., Chairman of the Board of The Humble Oil & Refining Company; Mrs. G.F. Pierce: Sponsor Mrs, Reislle; and Yard President D.A. Holden. Yard workmen were busy removing the last shores forward on the ship as the launching countdown continued. With President Holden's introduction of the sponsor, who is the wife of the Chairman, of the Board of Directors of Humble, and the matron of honor, Mrs. George F. Pierce, Mrs. Reistle's daughter, the launching time was at hand. The traditional whistles sounded - first a warning whistle, then another shrieked 20 seconds later, and finally, a third meant that the long anticipated moment had arrived. Mrs. Reistle responded beautifully as she crashed the netted bottle into the specially attached Steel piece on the bow of the ship. The Houston moved slowly away from the stand as Yard workmen, the large crowd and guests on the stand cheered loudly. The 40th Esso tanker built here and the 80th built in the Yard's history had been successfuly launched into the recipient of all other Yard-built vessels - the James River. CHRISTENING JOY A post-launching party was held at the James River Country Club. Several members of the families of the sponsor and matron of honor attended the ceremony, including Mrs. Reistle's husband and Mrs. Pierce's husband. Among others in attendance were Humble President and Mrs. C.F. Jones, executive vice presidents, vice presidents and officers of the firm. Three members of the Board of Directors of Standard Oil of New Jersey and their wives also attended. Interestingly, sponsors of three other Newport News-built Esso tankers were also in attendance. INTO THE JAMES The Esso Houston derives most of her 582,856 barrel cargo capacity from her broad 116-foot beam. The vessel and her sister ship, recently named Esso New Orleans, include many features in their design which will contribute to more efficient and economical operation. During the designing of the two ships, consideration was given to a reduction in construction costs. DESTINATION: PIER 10 Instead of the usual pump rooms, each of the two ships will have four turbine-driven deep well pumps for the unloading of cargo. The two new ships will be the first ocean vessels of their size to be equipped with a single automated boiler not requiring attendants. Their machinery spaces have been simplified for the possible operation of the entire plant from a single control console. Among the most noticeable differences between these two tankers and older ones is that they will have no superstructure amidship, thus eliminating the traditional catwalk down the center of the ship. Their afterhouse includes the navigation bridge and both this structure and the stack have been streamlined. The Esso Houston is scheduled for delivery before the end of 1964, and the Esso New Orleans will be launched sometime in 1965. Sponsors of three other Yard-built Esso tankers joined Mrs. Reistle for a picture at the post-launching party. From left (with the name of the ship they sponsored) are Mrs. Reistle; Mrs. H.W. Fisher (Esso Jamestown); Mrs. Morgan J. Davis (Esso Baltimore'); and Mrs. M.A. Wright (Esso Lexington). ( Thanks to S. Dale Hargrave )