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Esso New Haven - (1944-1960)
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The first SS "Esso New Haven" nearing New York (Sept. 22, 1944) from Puerto La Cruz.
( Photo US Coast Guard )
The Miramar Ship Index for
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ESSO NEW HAVEN
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ID or IMO No
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2245295 MC-1727
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Year built
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1944
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Name
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ESSO NEW HAVEN
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Flag
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USA
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Owner
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Standard Oil Co., of New Jersey. Chester, Pa.
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Type
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Tanker
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Tons
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10642
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DWT
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16613
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LOA
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159.6
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LPP
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153.3
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Beam
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20.7
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Dept
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11.93
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Draft
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9.10
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Mchy
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1TE-15
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Power
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5401
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ShipDesign
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T2-SE-A1
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Builder
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Sun Shipbuilding and Dry Dock Co.
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Yard
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Chester, Pa
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Yard No
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407
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Country built
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USA
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Keel
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02.12.1943
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Launch
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08.03.1944
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Completed
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27.03.1944
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Subsequent History
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1946 ESSO NEW HAVEN - Standard Oil Co., of New Jersey. New York, NY.
1950 ESSO NEW HAVEN - Esso Shipping Co., Wilmington, DE.
1960 MARINE SULPHUR QUEEN - Marine Sulphur Tpt Corp., Wilmington, DE.
1961 Converted to molten sulphur carrier, grt / 15931 dwt.
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End
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1963
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Disposal Data
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Missing - last heard 26.40 N / 88.00 W on 03.02.1963 (39 dead)
Voyage Beaumont-Norfolk, with molten sulphur.
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Additional Information :
History and notes:
Completed by Sun Shipbuilding and Dry Dock Company, Chester, PA in March, 1944, yard hull number 407.
Converted in 1960 to carry bulk sulphur by Bethlehem Steel Co., Sparrows Point, MD (7,240GRT) and renamed MARINE SULPHUR QUEEN.
On 2 February, 1963 left Beaumont, TX for Norfolk, VA with a cargo of molten sulphur. On 3 February, radio communication received indicating position approximately 26.40N, 88W (south of Pensacola). Posted missing on 6 February; no further trace.
This is one of the modern mysteries of the sea. The entire crew of thirty-nine was lost and claims totalling some $20 million were filed by their relatives. The loss of the vessel became the subject of a legal judgement and, after severe criticism of many concerned, a Federal Court decision, made some seven years after the loss, awarded a multi-million dollar settlement for the lives and cargo lost.
The MARINE SULPHUR QUEEN was put into service in 1961 and made a total of sixty three voyages before her disappearance.
After several days of searching, only a few lifejackets, life rings and minor debris were found in a position south-east of Key West.
Source:
Victory Ships and Tankers: The History of the Victory type cargo ships and of the Tankers built in the United States of America
during World War II, by Leonard Arthur Sawyer and W. H. Mitchell. Published by Cornell Maritime Press, Cambridge MD.
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Sisterships are Esso Camden, Esso Memphis, Esso Portland, Esso Roanoke, Esso Scranton, Esso Springfield and Esso Uttica.
"Esso New Haven", port side view under way, July 6th, 1944.( Photo US Coast Guard )
"Esso New Haven" , July 5, 1946. Docked. The "Naugatuck" in front.( Photo Elwin Eldredge Collection )
"Esso New Haven" starboard side view under way.( Phil Myers Photographs )
"Esso New Haven".
"Esso New Haven".
"Marine Sulphur Queen", ex. "Esso New Haven".
(UPI Telephoto)
Text with photo :
2/8/63-PORTSMOUTH, VA.: The 7,240-ton Marine Sulphur Queen (shown here in recentphoto), loaded with a ‘hot’ cargo of molten sulphur and manned by a crew of 39, was mssing 2/8 on a run between Texas and Virginia. An ‘urgent’ broadcast was flashed to surface ships to be on the lookout for the vessel, and a two-ocean air search was launched. UPI TELEPHOTO
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"Marine Sulphur Queen", ex. "Esso New Haven".
(AP Wire photo )
Text with photo :
(NY 5 March 63) THE SHIP THAT NEVER CAME HOME
This is the S.S. Sulphur Queen that vanished 13 months ago with its crew of 39 men. The 524-foot tanker was carrying a cargo of 16,315 tons of molten sulphur when it sailed fron Beaumont,Tx., on Feb. 2, 1968 on n five day trip to Norfolk, Va. It was last seen on Feb. 4 in the Gulf of Mexico flying signals indicating it was not maneuverable, but not in need or help.
AP Wire photo
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