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Collision "Esso Greensboro" and "Esso Suez" 1951
Collision with Esso Suez, abt 200 miles SSW of SW Pass, Mississippi River, about 26.17.5 N, 91.25.5 W. Both ships were running a 15 knots in dense fog. Suez altered to port for a green to green passage. Nobody on the Greensboro's bridge survived, but it is clear from the testimony of the Esso Suez bridge, and the position of Greensboro's rudder that she altered to starboard. Greensboro was loaded with about 141,000 barrels of West Texas crude. Suez was in ballast. Suez plowed into port side of Greensboro in way of No 8 tanks. Both ships caught fire. All but 5 crew on the Greensboro were fried. Two killed on the Suez.
Incredibly, both ships survived and were towed in. The Board inspected both ships. On the Esso Suez The side shell plating and all internal structural members were severed between the 15 foot and 28 foot waterline from the stem approximately 40 feet aft on the port side and 65 feet aft on the starboard side. On the Esso Greensboro whose beam was 68 feet, The vessels was cut in the way of No 8 tank for a distance of 60 feet, from main deck to an undetermined depth. The main deck was completely severed for a distance of 60 feet. The No 8 tanks longitudinal bulkheads were ruptured, the transverse bulkheads to Nos. 7 and 9 port tanks were ruptured, and the transverse bulkheads to Nos. 7 and 9 center tanks were also affected. All steam and water pipes, fire lines, electric wiring, and communication lines from bridge to engine room were severed in way of the collision. 97,000 barrels of the approximately 141,000 barrel cargo were recovered from the Greensboro.
Source : USCG Date : 1951-03-20
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( Wire photo from US Coast Guard )
Text with photo :
New Orleans, LA. April 20.
SHIPS BURN AFTER COLLISION
The tanker Esso Greensboro burns furiously in the Gulf of Mexico after colliding with another Esso tanker in the fog early this morning. Four crew members were resceud, two charred bodies were found, and 36 other crewman are presumed lost.
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( Official US Navy photo )
Text with photo :
Corpus Christi, Tex. April 4th.
TANKER BURNS
The Esso Greensboro, T2-tanker in flames after colliding with the Esso Suez, April 20th. The Greesnboro was loaded with 140,000 barrels of oil. The tanker crashed 300 miles east northeast from here. 38 die, 5 injured.
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( Official US Navy photo )
Text with photo :
Corpus Christi, Tex. April 4th.
SURVIVOR
John W. Rohm, crewman on the Esso tanker Greensboro, is helped from the Amphibious plane at the Naval Air Base here tonight after being rescued when the tanker he was on and another collided during heavy fog in the Gulf of Mexico early today. Three other crewman were brought here.
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