ESSO HIBERNIA

[MadMaxLab]

Built by Swan's in 1970.

Broken up at Kaohsiung in 1983

June 1970

[Rivoldini]

I was called to a large fire on this ship when the timber staging beneath caught fire one night and the Wallsend firemen needed reinforcements. Being my first shipyard fire I did not know at the time but the keel of these new ships were about seven feet off the ground supported by huge Baulks of timber. It was a bit hot there so I took my helmet off and was promptly told by my Station Officer to put it back on in case I got injured. Being a good boy then I did but could not help thinking that if that lot fell it would take more than a fibreglass fire helmet to save me from instant doom. Happy days!

[Dennis Maccoy]

Launch, on 6 April 1970

Ready to go.

Started

[Dennis Maccoy]

Dust from the drag chains

Secure

[magoonigal]

I hope the Guy who did all the calculations to slew and stop her got a very big BONUS but I bet he did not!

Must be quite an art and a very big relief when it all goes to plan.

[Dennis Maccoy]

Outfitting at Wallsend on 19 September 1970 with the rudder horn casting of Texaco Great Britain dominating the ferry landing.

[magoonigal]

Its only when you see pictures taken from an unusual angle that you really appreciate just how BIG these vessels were and the massive bits of engineering that went into them.

[Tony Frost]