Official Number:                     N/R

Laid down:

Builder:                                 Cantieri Riuniti dell’Adriatico, Monfalcone

Launched:                             15 October 1931

Into Service:                           During WW2

Out of service:                        During WW2

Fate:                                     April 1962 broken up

Items of historic interest involving this ship: –

Background Data:  One of an additional group of ships requisitioned by the Admiralty during WW2 to augment the ships of the RFA

Career Data:

15 October 1931 launched by Cantieri Riuniti dell’Adriatico, Monfalcone as Yard Nr: 250 named ORVILLE HARDEN for Baltisch-Amerikanische-Petroleum-Import-Gessellschaft, Danzig

1935  transferred to Panama Transport Co, Panama name unchanged

17 August 1936 off Buenos Aires while on passage from Aruba to Campana in collision with a Greek ship Agios Georgios which was, at the time, aground causing damage to both vessels. Source Lloyds Casualty report of this day

3 July 1942 sailed Key West in convoy KN116 to Hampton Roads arriving 7 July 1942

15 July 1942 sailed Boston in escorted convoy BX29 to Halifax arriving 17 July 1942

19 July 1942 sailed Halifax in escorted convoy HX199 to Liverpool arriving 30 July 1942

6 August 1942 sailed the Clyde in convoy ON119 to New York City arriving 20 August 1942

23 June 1944 arrived at Espiritu Santo, New Hebrides

26 July 1944 sailed from Espiritu Santo, New Hebrides

4 February 1945 collided with the Dutch ship ENA in the Ambrose Channel, New York and was abandoned, partly submerged. Was later raised and repaired. 56 the crew were rescued. 1 crew member drowned

11 May 1945 sailed Horta, Azores escorted by HMS LORD NUFFIELD to rejoin convoy HX354 which arrived at Liverpool 8 May 1945

1950 owners became Standard Francaise des Petroles and was renamed ESSO LANGUEDOC

1956 owners became Cie de Petroles Lago (Venezuela) and she became a bunkering hulk renamed ESSO ORINOCO