Esso Wandsworth
The tanker the Esso Wandworth was sailing on the river Thames from Thames Haven, on the Essex Shore, to Littlebrook Power Station, Dartford, loaded with 5,000 tonnes of light fuel oil. On 23 September, she collided with the Dutch vessel Moerdyk in heavy fog, in Lower Hope Reach. The Esso Wandworth port side was holed. 5,000 tonnes of fuel oil spilled into the Thames.
The vessel was then beached upstream by a tug. A few days later,
she was refloated and towed to Gravesend. However, on 12 October,
an explosion occured during repair works. The vessel went on fire.
The fire was rapidly extinguished, but the ship was badly damaged.
She was later sold for demolition.
Sources:
- HOOKE, Norman, 1997, Maritime Casualties 1963-1996, second edition, LLP Limited, Londres
- IFP, Banques de données sur les accidents de navire ayant provoqué un déversement de pétrole en mer supérieur à 500 tonnes, 1955-1969, Réf. 26 693, Janvier 1979
Name: Esso Wandsworth
Date: 23 September 1965
Location: England
Accident area : Lower Hope Reach, Thames
Cause of spill : collision
Type of pollutant : light fuel oil
Quantity spilled : 5,000 tonnes
Ship type : oil tanker
Date built : 1943
Shipyard : Barnes, Duluth Ship Building Co.
Length : 111.59 m
Width : 18.35 m
Draught : 4.60 m
Flag : British
Owner : Esso Petroleum Co. Ltd
Last update: June 2011