Christening of the "Esso Santos" on March 21, 1950. In service 1950. Eleventh and last of the super tankers constructed for Esso by the Newport News Shipbuilding and Dry Dock Company. 1973 Sold to Taiwan breakers. "Esso Santos" is made fast to the Yard´s fitting-out dock. The Esso Santos, Hull 485, was christened in Shipway 11 on March 21, 1950, at 11:30 A.M. She is the last of ten tankers in our construction program for the world-wide service of the Esso Company. The Esso Santos was christened by Mrs. William  Haley, wife of one of the officials of the Standard Oil Company (New Jersey). Imrnecliately after the christening the vessel was towed from Shipway Eleven to her outfitting pier for completion. The usual good luck in the weather which had prevailed for the previous nine Esso launchings was also in effect for the Santos christening. The day was bright, warm, and sunny with just a slight chill in the breeze blowing from the water. Mrs. Haley was the first left-hander who has christened a vessel in our plant for a great many years. Her portside throwing caused some consternation among the many photographers present. They had all conveniently arranged thernselves for the conventional right-hander. Ar the moment Mrs. Haley grasped the bottle in her left hand to hurl it against the hull of the Esso Santos there was a scurrying of photographers to asume positions to her left. Other tankers christened in the building docks had been moved forward to the inboard end of the dock for the christening ceremony. This procedure was not possible because of the two giant caissons which had been built in the inboard part of the clock. The christening ceremony was therefore, held on barges placed beside the bow of the vessel. The caissons were towed from the dock after removal of the Santos. Incluicd in the sponsor's party were: William  J. Haley, Mr. and Mrs. Leo D. Welch, Mr. and Mrs. Harold W. Fisher, Mr. and Mrs. Brian Mead, Mr. and  Mrs. Walter W. Darnm, Mr. and Mrs. Walter Anderson, Mr. and Mrs. James C. Sirnoni, Mr. and Mrs.. W. Connolly, Mr. and Mrs. D. A. Shepard, Mr. and Mrs. Frank M. Donahue, son-in-law and Daughter of the sponsor, Miss Karen K. Donahue, Michael Donahue, Mr. and Mrs. D. C. Dunaway and Mr. and Mrs. Thomas S. Johnston. Also antending were Mr. and Mrs; Chester P. Smith, Mr. and Mrs. M. G. Gamble, Mr. and Mrs. W. P. Headden, Mr. and Mrs. E. L. Stewart, Mr. and Mrs. C. E. Freeman W. Z. Gardner, A. Warner, Melvin, Miss Frances V. Richardson, Mrs. John \/V. Brice and Mrs. Emile E. Soubry. Mrs. William J. Haley, the Sponsor, is shown at the completion of her lefthand swing which christened the ESSO SANTOS. Looking on is William E. Blewett, Jr., Executive Vice President of our Company. The Sponsor of the ESSO SANTOS, Mrs. William J. Haley, poses with her immediate family iust before the christening ceremony. The two liille ones are Michael Donahue and Karen K. Donahue, grandchildren. Others, left to right are Frank M. Donahue and Mrs. Donahue, the Sponsor's daughter; the Sponsor, and her husband, William J. Haley. Shown before the christening of the ESSO SANTOS are: Left to right: Mrs. E. L. Stewart, Mrs. W. E. Blewett, Jr., E. L. Stewart, Mrs. William J. Haley, Sponsor, and W. E. Blewett, Jr., Executive Vice President of our Company. Source : NEWPORT NEWS SHIPYARD BULLETIN, April, 1950. ( Thanks to S. Dale Hargrave )