| Name: | ESSO PORTSMOUTH |
| Type: | Tanker |
| Launched: | 06/01/1959 |
| Completed: | 07/1959 |
| Builder: | Vickers-Armstrongs (Shipbuilders) Ltd |
| Yard: | High Walker |
| Yard Number: | 160 |
| Dimensions: | 24125grt, 12949nrt, 36000dwt, 690.0 x 90.5 x 35.6ft; (1962: 25715grt, 733.0ft) |
| Engines: | 2 x Steam turbines, DR geared, 17600shp |
| Engines by: | Vickers-Armstrongs (Engineering) Ltd, Barrow-in-Furness |
| Propulsion: | 1 x Screw, 17.0knots |
| Construction: | Steel |
| Reg Number: | 300915 |
| History: | |
| 07/1959 | Esso Petroleum Co Ltd, London |
| 1972 | Winson Tankers SA, Panama; renamed WINSON |
| 07/08/1975 | Sank |
| Comments: | 09/07/1960: Severely damaged by a mid-length explosion & fire at Milford Haven |
| Repair contract won by the Palmer's Yard of Vickers-Armstrongs | |
| New section of cargo tanks built by Vickers-Armstrongs at Walker, contract no 526 | |
| Aft end refurbished and new accommodation block installed by Palmers | |
| New and longer cargo section inserted by Swan Hunter's Wallsend Drydocks | |
| 12/1961: Re-entered service, now lengthened to 733.0ft, 25715grt, 40309dwt | |
| 21/01/1975: Grounded in the South China Sea, 480 miles SW of Manila | |
| On a voyage from Galveston to India with a cargo of wheat | |
| 06/08/1975: Refloated | |
| 07/08/1975: Sank under tow |
Above photo is courtesy of Photoship
Above photo is courtesy of John Bage
Above: "The smoke blackened ESSO PORTSMOUTH at Milford Haven". Illustrated London News, Saturday, 16/07/1960
Above photo showing the new midships body being launched is courtesy of John Bage
Above: The old aft end with new superstructure (L) and the new forward portion in dock (R). Photos Auke Visser
Above: The launch of ESSO EDINBURGH with part of the old ESSO PORTSMOUTH at the riverside berth
Above photo shows ESSO PORTSMOUTH after reconstruction. Photo is courtesy of Photoship
Above photo, dated 13/11/1962, is copyright of the Shields Gazette. CLICK to enlarge/BACK to return
The old midships portion of ESSO PORTSMOUTH is taken to Holland for scrap. Photo is courtesy of Kevin Blair
The Times, Wednesday, 11/10/1961
The Times, Tuesday, 18/10/1960
The Times, Wednesday, 27/09/1961