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Esso Rochester - (1943-1966)
See also : VICTORY IN ACTION & Esso Rochester Breaks in Half
"Esso Rochester", underway, Hull no. 213, build by Sun Shipbuilding and Dry Dock Company,
a Single screw, steam turbine, 8,200 SHP, 18,378 DWT. Scrapped in 1966 at Onomichi.
"Esso Rochester", outbound, during war-time, November 16th, 1943.(Photo US Coast Guard)
"Esso Rochester", outbound, during war-time, October 10th, 1943.
(Photo US Coast Guard)
Not very pretty, perhaps, but safely home from Pacific battlefronts.
Nine months voyage to South Pacific area leaves "Esso Rochester" heavily coated with rust and ready for a clean-up job.Under the lifeboat is a row of smoke pots for "screen" service. One anemy plane was shot down by the crew.
"Esso Rochester" repaired, repainted and re-entering service after long months of active duty in the
Pacific Theater of War.
"Esso Rochester" enroute, New York, February, 1948, "Esso Tug No. 4" towing.( Photographer Arnold Eagle )
| Background Data: One of an additional group of ships requisitioned by the Admiralty during WW2 to augment the ships of the RFA
Career Data:
9 January 1943 launched by Sun Shipbuilding & Dry Dock Co, Chester, Pa as Yard Nr 213 named ESSO ROCHESTER
for Standard Oil Co of New Jersey, New York
January 1943 completed and time-chartered to U.S. WSA name unchanged
WW2 fitted as and served as an Escort Oiler, name unchanged
2 February 1943 sailed from Philadelphia independently to Baytown arriving 8 February 1943
11 February 1943 sailed Houston independently to New York arriving 17 February 1943
19 February 1943 sailed New York in Convoy NK524 to Key West and then independently to Texas City arriving 25 February 1943
27 February 1943 sailed Texas City independently to New York arriving 5 March 1943
11 March 1943 sailed New York independently to Aruba arriving 16 March 1943
20 March 1943 sailed Aruba in convoy OT3/1 to Casablanca arriving 2 April 1943
19 April 1943 sailed Casablanca in convoy GUF7 as Escort Oiler to Aruba arriving 30 April 1943
WW2 fitted as and served as an Escort Oiler, name unchanged
9 July 1944 sailed Fremantle to Addu Atoll in company with HMAS's CAIRNS, WOLLONGONG and NORMAN
14 July 1944 refuelled at sea HMAS's CAIRNS, WOLLONGONG and NORMAN
22 December 1944 the US Operating Base, Bermuda reported that the ship was overdue and caused box searches to be made looking for her without a positive result
1946 returned to her owners
1950 owners became Esso Shipping Co, New York name unchanged
30 November 1950 while on passage from Montreal to Aruba in ballast, she broke in two in position 49.25 N 65.50 W in the Gulf of St Lawrence in bad weather and was abandoned. Both parts were towed into port but the forepart was subsequently lost by stranding after being cut adrift in a gale while being towed to Halifax
April 1951 the aft part was towed to Newport News where a new forebody was joined to it and she re-entered service
June 1966 arrived Onomichi for demolition by Japanese breakers
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The "Esso Rochester" was a tanker that broke in two in 1950.
See here "Foundation Vera" with the stern section of the "Esso Rochester".
The stern was rescued, rebuilt, and returned to service.
She served until 1966, when she was broken up.
Broke in two, abandoned, 30 Nov 1950, in bad weather, in the Gulf of St. Lawrence, off Anticosti Island (49.25N-65.50W), voyage
Montreal - Aruba, in ballast, both parts towed to port, forepart subsequently lost by stranding after being cut adrift in a
gale while being towed to Halifax. Stern towed April 1951 to Newport News, Va. and replacement forebody built,
returned to service.
( Photo thanks to Alberto Garcia )
"Esso Rochester" after WW II.
"Esso Rochester" at Massena terminal, NY.( Esso Photo )
"Esso Rochester".
( Photo thanks to Alberto Garcia )
"Esso Rochester".
( Photo thanks to Alberto Garcia )
"Esso Rochester".
"Esso Rochester".
"Esso Rochester".
The Miramar Ship Index for "ESSO ROCHESTER"
IDNo:
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5108338
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Year:
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1943
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Name:
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ESSO ROCHESTER
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Keel:
|
|
Type:
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Tanker
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Launch Date:
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09.01.1943
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Flag:
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USA
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Date of completion:
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01.1943
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DWT:
|
|
Yard No:
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213
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Length overall:
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524.8
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Ship Design:
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|
LPP:
|
|
Country of build:
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USA
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Beam:
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63.2
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Builder:
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Sun
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Material of build:
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Location of yard:
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Chester, Pa
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Number of screws/Mchy/Speed(kn):
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1ST, ?
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|
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Subsequent History:
-
Disposal Data:
Scrapped at Onomichi 06.1966.
History :
ON
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LR/IMO
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ID
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Year
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Name
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Tons
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Change
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Main Owner
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242848
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5108338
|
5108338
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1943
|
ESSO ROCHESTER
|
11344
|
-
|
Standard Oil Co NJ.
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Sisterships are Esso Richmond (II), Esso Columbia (II) and Esso Buffalo.