Author Topic: The last 3 Island Tankers are being scrapped in Brownsville, Tx -Photos wanted  (Read 3613 times)

Offline William C. Daugherty

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The last three-island tankers I know of are being scrapped in Brownsville, Tx. They were actually in good shape, too.

They are:
The USNS Mount Washington (at All Star Metals?)

Her sister, the USNS Mount Vernon (Scrapyard unknown)

And the USNS Shoshone (at Esco Marine).

Any photos anyone has would be great to post to the site, and if anyone is in the area and can take photos and post them, I would appreciate it.

They were in good shape, the Shoshone especially, she was Ice Classed too. The Shoshone and the Mount Vernon were virtually unchanged fron their constructiom in the late 1950's/early 1960's. A mere book (forgive me) titled "The Prize" won the Pulitzer Prize & was made into a mini-series; handled correctly, I think they would've made a great museums, and especially if used to explain the broader aspects of the oil industry they are such a crucial part of. They also would've been a good educational platform for discussing Climate Change and other related issues.

Despite being in such great shape, and the program deadline to scrap surplus ships being a while away, the government chose to pay about $800,000 to have the Shoshone scrapped. The Maritime Administration has so far been unwilling to answer an email as to why this was handled this way.

Anyway, if you have, or can get any photos of those very classic merchant ships before they're completely gone, it would be appreciated.
« Last Edit: May 08, 2014, 05:46:17 AM by William C. Daugherty »
William C. Daugherty

Offline Eric THIBAUT

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There are some pics of the USNS MOUNT WASHINGTON on the site.
Eric THIBAUT

Offline William C. Daugherty

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Thanks, Eric. I was looking for more recent pictures too. Also, if anyone has any memories of these ships, perhaps especially the Shoshone, it would be neat to hear about them.

The Mount Washington & her sister are said to have been owned by Aristotle Onassis, and legend has it that the Mount Washington was Christina Onassis's favorite ship, and that one of her dresses was left aboard.

True? Anything else anyone knows?  
« Last Edit: May 12, 2014, 02:24:03 AM by William C. Daugherty »
William C. Daugherty

Offline ChrisTX

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You might be out of luck on Mount Vernon, but for the other two, try:
http://navy.memorieshop.com/World-Ports/Brownsville/Channel.html

You can see Shoshone at the ESCO Yard, newly arrived and Washington, partially scrapped, at the All Star Yard (marked ALSTR on the pictures) in the scrapping slip just behind Forrestal (the sole Aircraft Carrier)

For pictures of their journey to Brownsville, check out:
Shoshone: http://navy.memorieshop.com/Shoshone/index.html
Washington: http://navy.memorieshop.com/Mount-Washington/index.html

There are 3 more tankers with the 3 islands heading to Brownsville next month: Hassayampa, Kawishiwi and Ponchatoula. You can track their progress and view recent pictures at: http://navy.memorieshop.com/World-Ports/BayArea/Viewing.html
« Last Edit: May 13, 2014, 07:59:14 PM by ChrisV71 »

 

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