Auke Visser's International Esso Tankers site | home
The building of Esso Gettysburg - Page 2
A Picture Story
of the Super Tanker
ESSO GETTYSBURG From Keel Laying to Maiden Voyage.
Met dank aan Marius Esman.
A reprint from THE SHIPS' BULLETIN, publication of the Esso Shipping Company, March-April, 1957.
OCTOBER 11. Sliding down the ways and into the historic James River.
NOVEMBER 5. At the shipyard fit-ting-out pier, where interior and exterior work continues.
DECEMBER 11. Esso Gettysburg in drydock for painting of underwater areas, installation of propeller and
rudder and other fitting-cut work.
DECEMBER 11. Stern view on the same day.
DECEMBER 11. One of the next steps is to hoist aboard the smokestack, visible on far side of drydock.
JANUARY 18, 1957. Afloat again and nearing completion.
FEBRUARY 25. Forward and after deck views of the super tanker on sea trials off the Virginia coast.
For two days the ship was put through a series of rigorous tests.
In the wheelhouse — from left to right are: gyro pilot control unit, steering wheel, engineroom telegraph and
Third Mate viewing scope of radar indicator unit.
A portion of the crew's recreation room, showing 21 in. television set.
Electric bake oven and two electric ranges in the galley, where approximately 150 meals per day are prepared.
In the engineroom—steam line to high pressure turbine is in center and in right background, the main operating
platform, gauge board and engineroom telegraph.
Looking down on the propulsion machinery. The low pressure turbine is at upper left, high pressure turbine at upper right and
the reduction gearing, center and bottom.
MARCH 12. The Esso Gettysburg at anchor off Stapleton, Staten Island, with her first cargo - 59,258 bbls. of crude for the
Bayway Refinery.
The ship was commanded by Captain Jens G. Olsen, senior Master in the Esso Shipping Company fleet.