Esso Washington Launched Mrs. George Koegler is shown christening the Esso Washington on February 15. W. E. Blewett, Jr., Yard President is on the right.     The 37,800-deadweight ton S.S. Esso Washington - one of the largest tankers to fly the American flag - was launched from Shipway Nine at noon on February 15, 1957.     The Washington slid into the James River only seconds after Mrs. George Koegler had sponsored the vessel in an age-old maritime ceremony.     Mrs. Keogler, widow of the former Deputy General Counsel of the Standard Oil Company of New Jersey, christened the 715-foot tanker with one sharp swing of a netted champagne bottle against the bow. The Sponsor had her daughter, Miss Carol Elmirita Koegler, as Maid of Honor. She also was accompanied by her son, Kurt George Koegler.     The Esso Washington followed her sistership, the Esso Gettysburg, into the water by four months and four days. The Gettysburg, was out for two days of successful sea trials on February 25 and 26 of the Virginia Capes. The Gettysburg was launched without her stack but the Washington took to the water with her complete superstructure and stack painted in Esso colors.     Nearly 50 guests of the Esso Shipping Company were on hand for the ceremony. Numerous others attended, representing the Shipyard, various maritime interests and government activities in the area. The launching party was entertained at a jarnes River Country Club luncheon, and then made their departure for New York by air. Group on the Sponsors stand for the launching of the Esso Washington. From left to right Mrs. W. E. Blewett, ]J., Mr. Blewett, Miss Carol E. Koegler, Maid of Honor and daughter of the Sponsor, M. G. Gamble, President o[ the Esso Shipping Company, Mrs. George Koegler, the Sponsor, and S. P. Coleman, Director, Standard Oil Company (New Jersey). The Esso Washington sliding down Shipway 9 with the launching crew watching in the foreground.     In the sponsor’s immediate party were Mr. and Mrs. Robert L. Graham, Ethelbert Warfield, Mr. and Mrs. John A. Hill, Mr. and Mrs. Walter Frank, Mr. and Mrs. Frank Ponton, Mr. and Mrs. Roberto DelaGuardia, Mrs. Cecil Morgan, Mrs. William Carlisle, Mr. and Mrs. Raoul Amador, Murray MacElhinny, Thomas Monaghan, Mrs. James P. Marr, Captain and Mrs. B. B.Wilson and Miss Nancy Wilson.     Among Directors of the Standard Oil Company of New Jersey and their guests, were Mr. and Mrs. S. P. Coleman, and their daughter Nancy, all of whom survived last summer’s sinking of the Italian liner Andrea Doria; Mr. and Mrs. H. H. Hewetson, Chester Smith, a retired Director of the Company, and Mrs. Smith, Mrs. M.  Rathbone, Mrs. E. E. Sonhry and Mrs. W. R. Scott. Launching of the Esso Washington left Shipway Nine open for the construction of one of the 18 tankers on the Yard’s contract list.                            Another Esso tanker will fill the vacated space.     The Esso Washington is the 18th tanker built here for Esso in postwar days. Two more of the same class are to follow. Later, five 46,000-tonners also will be laid down in Esso’s current building program at Newport News. The ships, manned by American crews under American flags, will be employed in hauling oil from the Gulf Coast to East Coast refineries. View of the Esso Washington as she was being towed to her outfitting pier. Source : NEWPORT NEWS SHIPYARD BULLETIN, March, 1957. ( Thanks to S. Dale Hargrave )