From the Book Sailing ship to Supertanker. There were twelve ships in the "City"-class of tanker, around 36,000 tdw, delivered between 1957 and 1960 with orders shared between British, German, French and Italian yards. The lead ship of the class came from AG Weser, Bremen, in July, 1957, and the twelfth, and last, from CRD Adriatico in May, 1960. All were propelled by two steam turbines connected to a single shaft giving a speed of 16 1/2 knots. The length overall was 696 feet and breadth 90 feet. Built by AG Weser, Bremen Esso Guildford Completed 7.1957 23,960 Gross tons 1969: Delphic Runner (Dorian S. S. Corp. (Liberian)). 12.10.1974: Laid up Piraeus. 29.4.1976: Arrived Bilbao, in tow for breaking up. Esso Winchester Completed 2.1958 24,026 Gross tons 1969: Winchester {T^ Inc. (Liberian)). 1970: Hoegh Transporter (L. Hoegh & Co.). Converted to car carrier at Rijeka. (21,670 gt). 9.2.1979: Arrived Kaohsiung for breaking up. Built by Howaldtswerke AG, Hamburg Esso Salisbury Completed 12.1957 24,008 Gross tons 1972: Terrytwo (Terrytwo Shipping Corp. (Liberian)). 24.4.1975: Arrived Kaohsiung for breaking up. Esso Bristol Completed 6.1958 23,972 Gross tons 1964: Esso Nicaragua (Esso Transportation Co. Inc., Panama). 7.10.1977: Arrived Kaohsiung for breaking up. Built by Arsenal de Brest Esso Norwich Completed 5.1959 23,997 Gross tons 1962: Esso Balboa (Esso Transport & Shipping Co. Inc., Panama). 1963: Lengthened and deepened. Measurements: 771 feet 3 inches (loa) X 90 feet 5 inches breadth. 30,187 gt. 50,500 tdw. 1969: Eland (Oil Transportation Company Inc. (Liberian)). 1971: Eressos (same). 1974: Messenger (same). 1.1975: Arrived Kaohsiung for breaking up. Built by Vickers-Armstrongs Ltd., Newcastle Esso Durham Completed 9.1958 23,862 Gross tons On 26th January, 1961, the Esso Durham left Fawley for Mena al Ahmadi but before reaching Gibraltar suffered a serious explosion which blew a hole in her side. The Esso Durham was escorted to Gibraltar by the Liberian-flag Shell tanker Philine at a speed of 4 knots and anchored in Gibraltar Bay on 30th January. It had been thought that the accident was a boiler blow-out but it was later identified as a gas explosion while cleaning tanks. Such was the force that the ship's sides in way of No. 4 tank were blown out between decks and below the waterline. After drydocking, the Esso Durham lay at Gibraltar pending a decision as to her future and it was decided that as the damage was so extensive she would be reconstructed on somewhat similar lines to the Esso Portsmouth. The reconstruction plans included an insertion of two additional tank sections-a length of 40 feet-and increasing the deadweight capacity by 2,000 tons. The bridge and accommodation were also moved aft from the midships position. The ship was then cut in two at Gibraltar, the after part leaving there in tow on 30th September, 1961, and the forepart on 3rd October, both for Cadiz where they were joined with the additional tank section by Astilleros de Cadiz. Measurements: 733 feet (loa) X 90 feet breadth. 25,673 gt. 40,929 tdw. 1967: Durham (Petroleum Transport Inc. (Liberian)). 1971: Pyrgos (same). 1972: Courier (Helmos Shipping Inc., (Liberian)). 31.7.1975: Arrived Kaohsiung for breaking up. Esso Portsmouth Completed 7.1959 24,125 Gross tons Measurements: (new): 733 feet (loa) X 90 feet breadth. 25,715 gt. 40,300 tdw. 1972: Winson (Winson Tankers Ltd., Panama). 21.1.1975: Aground, 11.28 N 114.23 E on North Danger Reef, South China Sea (voyage: Galveston/India - wheat). 6.8.1975: Refloated but: 7.8.1975: Foundered in bad weather, 11.41 N 115.19 E, while in tow. On 8th July, 1960, the Esso Portsmouth arrived at Milford Haven dressed overall, for she was the first ocean-going tanker to berth at the marine terminal of the new Esso refinery. She had 32,000 tons of crude oil to discharge from Kuwait. Early next morning while the ship was discharging, a structuralfailure of an unloading arm on the jetty caused a spillage of oil. This quickly ignited and there was a massive explosion. Fire and rescue services managed to extinguish the flames but not before the ship's hull structure was heavily buckled and her midships accommodation completely gutted. Fortunately the bulk of the cargo was saved and after its discharge the ship was placed on buoys in the harbour for survey. This revealed that the shell plating was damaged over the whole length of the ship. Deck plating, tanks and bulkheads were ripped open and the midship superstructure damaged beyond repair; even its aluminium panelling having melted in the intense heat. Nevertheless, it was decided that the £550 Portsmouth could be repaired and at the same time modernised and enlarged, reforming her to the modern "bridge and accommodation aft" configuration. After temporary repairs to make her seaworthy, the Esso Portsmouth left Milford Haven in tow on 26th July, arriving in the Tyne on 6th August where she went into Palmers, Hebburn drydock for examination by Swan, Hunter. Eventually, a new midship section, 200 feet in length, was built by Vickers-Armstrongs, Walker, who were her builders, and after the damaged centre part of the ship had been cut away, the new midbody was grafted into the two remaining end sections, this work done by Swan, Hunter. Riveters and welders fitted new longitudinal frames, stiffeners and shell plating, with the outfitting work carried out by Palmers, Hebburn. In December, 1961, the ship was ready for service and in the second week of the month, with her new "all aft" profile, put to sea, bound for the Persian Gulf. It had taken a year, and more than 4,000 tons of steel, to rebuild a "new" ship from the old casualty. Built by Cantieri Riuniti dell' Adriatico, Trieste Esso Southampton Completed 12.1958 23,457 Gross tons 962: Esso Jamaica (Panama Transport and Tanker Co. Inc., Southampton, Panama). In 1963 the Esso Jamaica was sent to Mitsui Zosen KK at Chiba for the insertion of an additional 80 feet in the hull, giving measurements of 773 feet 3 inches (loa) and 90 feet 5 inches breadth. Tonnages were increased, to 29,262 gt and from 35,580 to 49,850 in deadweight capacity. The draught became 41 feet 8 inches. At the same time a bulbous bow was fitted and the speed was subsequently increased by 1 knot. The ship left the Chiba yard on 12th December, 1963. 1969: Nepco Advance (Transoceanic Tankers Inc., Panama). 29.1.1977: Arrived Kaohsiung for breaking up. Esso Coventry Completed 7.1959 23,275 Gross tons 1963: Esso Trieste (La Columbia SMA). 1975: (Esso Italiana). 7.1976: Scrapped Masan, Korea. Built by Cantieri Riuniti dell' Adriatico, Monfalcone Esso Windsor Completed 6.1958 23,581 Gross tons 1963: Esso Genova (La Columbia SMA). 1969: Hoegh Trader (L. Hoegh). 2.1970: Converted to a car carrier at Rijeka. 16.12.1978: Arrived Kaohsiung for breaking up. Esso Liverpool Completed 11.1959 23,720 Gross tons 1964: Esso El Salvador (Esso Transport Co. Inc., (Panama)). 1970: Esso Panta del Este (Esso Standard Oil Co. (Uruguay) S.A.). 5.2.1977: Arrived Kaohsiung for breaking up. Esso Dublin Completed 5.1960 21,627 Gross tons 1964: Esso Honduras (Esso Transport Company Inc., (Panama)). 25.6.1976: Arrived Kaohsiung for breaking up.