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Tankers (1940-1949)
Esso Cardiff - (1947-1954)
Build in 8/1945 as "Halls of Montezuma" she was taken over in 1947 by the Anglo-American Oil Co. and renamed "Esso Cardiff".
Sold in 1954 as "Aquitanius", (Cia. Nav. Lorca(Liberian))
11.1955 converted to Ore/Oil carrier. Lengthened to 564 feet 6 inches, renamed "Andros Neptune", (Cai. Nav. Lorca (Liberian))
1960 sold as "Skopelos", (Cia. Nav. Vicalvaro (Greek))
1960 sold again as "Transwarren", (Cai. Nav. Patagonia (Liberian))
1962 sold as "Niagara, (Sea transport Inc. (USA))
On a voyage from IJmuiden to Nassau, the "Niagara" met a severe gale on 28th January,1965, in the Atlantic, losing
some 400 squire feet of plating. She limped into Ponta Delgado where temporary plates were fitted. The "Niagara"
was then towed to Marseille for drydocking, but it was founded that repairs would not be economic.
She was sold for scrap and arrived at Castellon on 29th October,1965.
 
"Esso Cardiff".
( Photo collection Morten Bjørndalen )
 
 "Esso Cardiff".
"Esso Cardiff".
 
A poor quality photo of the "Esso Cardiff".
 
"Esso Cardiff".
 
 "Aquitanis", ex. "Esso Cardiff" ex. "Halls of Montezuma".
( Photo Copyright Walter E. Frost )
 
"Andros Neptune", ex. "Aquitanis", ex. "Esso Cardiff" ex. "Halls of Montezuma".
Pictured following conversion to an ore/oil carrier in the later 1950s, owned by Lorca Shipping,
and managed by Goulandris Bros, London and Piraeus. Upon conversion from a tanker,
she became one of the first, if not the first, ore/oil carriers, which became quite trendy
from the 1960s.
 Pump room "Esso Cardiff", with stripping pump.

Additional Information:

T2-SE-A1
Built August 1945 by The Kaiser Company, Swan Island Yard, Portland, Oregon,
as "Halls of Montezuma" # 1947, for U.M.S.C.
1947 "Esso Cardiff", Anglo-American Oil Co., Ltd., London.
1954 "Aquitanius", (Cia. Nav. Lorca (Liberian)).
1.1955 converted to Ore/Oil carrier. Lengthened to 564 feet 6 inches, renamed "Andros Neptune",
(Cai. Nav. Lorca (Liberian)).
1960 sold as "Skopelos", (Cia. Nav. Vicalvaro (Greek)).
1960 sold again as "Transwarren", (Cai. Nav. Patagonia (Liberian)).
1962 sold as "Niagara, (Sea transport Inc. (USA)).
On a voyage from IJmuiden to Nassau, the "Niagara" met a severe gale on 28th January,1965, in
the Atlantic, losing some 400 squire feet of plating. She limped into Ponta Delgado where
temporary plates were fitted.  The "Niagara" was then towed to Marseille for drydocking, but it was
founded that repairs would not be economic.
She was sold for scrap and arrived at Castellon on 29th October,1965.

The Miramar Ship Index for "HALLS OF MONTEZUMA"
IDNo:
2248354
Year:
1945
Name:
HALLS OF MONTEZUMA
Launch Date:
21.07.1945
Type:
Tanker
Date of completion:
08.1945
Flag:
USA
Keel:

Tons:
10448
Link:
-
DWT:
16613
Yard No:
144
Length overall:
159.6
Ship Design:
T2-SE-A1
LPP:
153.3
Country of build:
USA
Beam:
20.7
Builder:
Kaiser
Material of build:
Location of yard:
Swan Island
Number of screws/Mchy/Speed(kn):
1TE-15

Subsequent History:
1947 ESSO CARDIFF - [ 1955 Lg 11564 grt & converted to ore/oil carrier ] - 1955 AQUITANIUS -
1956 ANDROS NEPTUNE - 1960 SKOPELOS - 1960 TRANSWARREN - 1962 NIAGARA.

Disposal Data:
Scrapped at Castellon 29.10.1965.

History:
ON
LR/IMO
ID
Year
Name
Tons
Change
Main Owner
248354
2248354
1945
HALLS OF MONTEZUMA
10448
U.S.Govt.
181803
2248354
1945
ESSO CARDIFF
10448
1947
Esso Tptn Co.
543
2248354
1945
AQUITANIUS
11564
1955
Orion Sg & Tdg Co.
543
2248354
1945
ANDROS NEPTUNE
11564
1956
Orion Sg & Tdg Co.
2248354
1945
SKOPELOS
11564
1960
Capeside Sg Co.
583
2248354
1945
TRANSWARREN
11564
1960
Patagonia Cia Nav.
248354
2248354
1945
NIAGARA
11564
1962
Oriental Exporters