ESSO BRUSSELS collision

Une vue de la collision entre le pétrolier belge ESSO BRUSSELS et le navire américain C.V. SEA WITCH à New York le 2.6.1973





te/t ESSO BRUSSELS

26467 blt 1959 Kockums Mekaniska Verkstads A.B., Malmö (442) K 27.4.1959 L 26.10.1959
T 16/19.2.1960 Baltic Sea D 22.2.1960 first arrival at Antwerp 25.2.1960 MT 28.2.1960 to Ras
Tanura.
16422 n 43964 dwt
213,21 (202,83) x 29,65 x 11,586 x 15,02m
2 S Turb. dr geared to sc. shaft 12309 kW (16500 shp) DeLaval by builders
17 kn (17 1/4 during trials)
33 tanks 4 pumps 1250 t/h
crew: 52 accomodations
60-73 ESSO BRUSSELS Esso Marine (Belgium) SA, Antwerp Be/
1.10.1963 collision o/v Antwerp-Mena al Ahmadi, 2 days after passing Gibraltar.
3.1.1964 arrived at Antwerp in tow, after collision on 31.12.1963; repairs till 16.1.1964
28.11.1968 arrived at Antwerp for repairs till 6.12
2.6.1973 at 00.42 collision with American C.V. SEA WITCH (17902/68, American Export
Isbrandtsen Lines Inc) while at anchor off Stapleton, New York harbour, o/v Bonny
(Nigeria)-New York (Bayway refinery). Both vessels quickly became engulfed in fire and thick black
smoke. Carried by the ebb tide the vessels, now locked together, drifted beneath the Verazzano
Bridge until they grounded in Gravesend Bay. ESSO BRUSSELS CTL - 13 crew lost. (c. Constant Dert)
ESSO BRUSSELS was struck on starboard side, N° 7 and 8 cargo tanks opened
C.V. SEA WITCH was outward bound from New York , having departed Howland Hook container
terminal at about 23.29, for Norfolk and N. Europe
Three members of her crew were lost.
Cause of the casualty was a small, seemingly insignificant mechanical failure aboard the US vessel
(dislocation of a 3/16" x 1" key from a keyway in the control linkage of the steering gear differential
controller). Investigators found that this key had moved forward from its slot and dropped into the
jaws of a universal joint.
Towed to Piraeus for repairs.
73-74 PETROLA XVII Iphigenia Shipping & Trading C°, Piraeus Gr/
(John D. Latsis, mgr)
74-75 SPIRO Iphigenia Shipping & Trading C°, Piraeus Gr/
(John D. Latsis, mgr)
75-76 PETROLA XXXVI Iphigenia Shipping & Trading C°, Piraeus Gr/
(John D. Latsis, mgr)
76-85 PETROLA 36 Iphigenia Shipping & Trading C°, Piraeus Gr/
(John D. Latsis, mgr)
21.10.1985 arrived at Aliaga from Piraeus (left on 19/10) in tow of Greek tug
MEGAS ALEXANDROS (608/74) for BU by Leyal Gemi Socum Ticaret A/S.

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