Source : Shipyard Bulletin, 1960. Thirty-Eighth Tanker Built in Yard for Esso The Esso Baltimore just before her launch. Two other Southern cities - Houston and Baltimore - were linked here on April 28 by the traditional Southern launching of the newest modern supertanker, the Esso Baltimore. President W. E. Blewett was splashed as Mrs. Davis made a perfect shot in christening the ESSO BALTIMORE. Mrs. Morgan J. Davis of Houston named the 740-foot vessel for the historic Maryland port with a splash of champagne from the bottle she broke at 12:30 p. m. The attractive sponsor is the wife of the president of the Humble Oil and Refining Company. Framed by Shipway eight's system of overhead cranes, the stately black and maroon hull moved down the building way into the James River, Mrs. Davis was assisted in her christening duties by Shipyard President W, E. Blewett, Jr. Serving as her Maid of Honor in the brief colorful ceremony was Miss Elizabeth Brown of Austin, Texas. The Esso Ballimore is the first of two supertankers being built here for Esso Standard Division of the Humble Oil and Refining Company. Modern in every respect, they are designed to be the largest and most efficient bulk oil carriers that can operate safely in the U. S. Gulf and East Coast trade. Of 47,400 deadweight tons, they will have a cargo capacity of 417,840 barrels of petroleum products. Mrs. M. J. Rothbone, wife of the President of Standard Oil Company (N.J.), with the Sponsor and Maid of Honor. Members of the Sponsor's party with President and Mrs. Blewett. From left, Miss Elizabeth Brown, Maid at Honor; James H. Davis, the Sponsor's son; Mrs. Blewett; Morgan J. Davis, President of the Humble Oil and Refining Company, and the Sponsor's husband; Mrs. Davis, the Sponsor, and President W. E. Blewett When delivered in July, the Esso Baltimore will be the thirty-eighth vessel built by Newport News for the Esso Company during the last 47 years. The long association between Newport News and Esso dates from the launching of the first of those ships, the John D. Archibold, on January 28, 1914. In a departure from Esso tradition, this new supertanker class has a streamlined profile, including a raked smokestack. Her air-conditioned living quarters will feature individual rooms, attractively furnished, for each member of the crew. Her single 23-foot propeller is one of the largest ever installed on a vessel built in this country, weighing over 68,000 pounds. Driven by Newport News-built turbines, it will give her a speed of 17.5 knots. Compared with the last previous class of Esso tankers, also named for historic American cities, the Erro Baltimore is 25 feet longer, nine feet wider and has a 100,000-barrel greater cargo capacity. Recreation and messroom facilities have also been expanded, with every consideration made for the comfort of the crew. She is also equipped with an elevator, from her engineroom to the upper deck. In spite of her size, the Esso Baltimore’s beam of 102 feet will permit passage through the Panama Canal. Her keel was laid at the Newport News Shipyard on September 8, 1959. Taller than a five-story building, the American-flag tanker will be able to transport enough fuel to fill the tanks of 890,000 automobiles. There is room in her giant cargo tanks for two city blocks of fivea-story buildings over 100 feet deep. This capacity of 17,549,000 gallons of fuel would supply the needs of all the motorists in the City of Baltimore for almost a month. Her tremendous 85,000-pound rudder is taller than a three-story building. A design feature of the Esso Baltimore is her unusual cutaway stern below the propeller to reduce vibration. Due to her great length, a shelter for the protection of crewmen traveling her long catwalk in heavy seas has been added midway between her bridge and the after house. Modern engineering improvements on the vessel include the location of cargo discharging piping beneath the main deck, and the addition of water-jet injectors to facilitate tank cleaning. Following the launching, a reception and luncheon was held at the James River Country Club for the sponsor's party and principals of Humble Oil, Esso Standard and other guests. A display of pictures of the previous christenings of ships built by Newport News for Esso was displayed at the reception. Members of the Sponsors party included Colonel and Mrs. Lynn R. Moore, Arlington, Va.; Dr. and Mrs. V. C. Baird, Mr. and Mrs. Albert Berry, Mrs. M. Lykes, Mr. and Mrs. Herbert Moore, Mr. and Mrs. Gardiner Symonds, Mr. and Mrs. W. B. Trammell, Mr. and Mrs. John Blaffer, Mrs. W. S. Cochran, Mr. and Mrs. L. F. McCollum, Mr. and Mrs. George Sawtelle, Mr. and Mrs. Proctor Thomas, and Mrs. H. C. Wiess, all of Houston. Also attending were Mr. William Naden, Executive Vice President of the Humble Oil & Refining Company, Mr. and Mrs. H. W. Ferguson, Mr. and Mrs. E. D. Reeves, and Mr. and Mrs. C. E. Reistle, Jr., all directors of the Humble Oil & Refining Company, Houston; Mr. and Mrs. O. V. Tracy, President, and Mr. and Mrs. T. W. Moore, Vice President, Esso Standard Division of Humble Oil & Refining Company; Mr. J. D. Rogers. General Manager, Marine Department, Esso Standard Division of Humble Oil & Refining Company; Mr. and Mrs. J. M. B. Howard, a former director of Standard Oil (N.J.) and Mr. and Mrs. Alfred Blurn, Vice President. American Bureau of Ships. Mrs. Davis, in white, with the Sponsors of three previous ships built here for Esso; from left, Mrs. H. W. Fisher, who chrisrened the ESSO JAMESTOWN in 1957; Mrs. M. A. Wrighf, who named fhe ESSO LEXINGTON in 1958, and Mrs. E. E. Soubry, Sponsor of the ESSO STOCKHOLM in 1949. This sketch of the supertanker shows how her giant cargo tanks could hold buildings over two city blocks long.