So here is this week's oldie : for a change a tanker - Esso York

55 / 17,180gt / 28,259dwt (GBR) [tcr]

owner : Esso Petroleum Co. Ltd.

built : Vickers-Armstrong Ltd., Walker on Tyne, GBR
yd # : 136
L - 27:09:1954, D - 04:1955

sold breakers, arrived Darukhana, India 07:09:1981

photo : Southampton Water : 26:07:1980
photo : © Dr. Allan Ryszka-Onions 1980/2008

Its been a long time since Esso used their own vessels, but some 20-odd years ago Esso tankers of all shapes, sizes and flags were a common site arriving and departing the Fawley jetty. Esso York was converted' to what might be described as an early shuttle tanker, used for lightening VLCCs in Lyme Bay, her fenders can be seen on the port side.. Seen here in her later years, she provided a smoky spectacle sailing to collect another load of crude.