Esso Ipswich incident - 1979

[Andy Lewis]

Hi Everybody,

I’m new to the forum, but I was wondering if anybody could offer me any help or advice on an incident I am trying to research. My grandfather John Robert Lewis (known as Robert) was reported to have been swept off the Esso Ipswich oil tanker on 8th September 1979, while it was in the English Channel. He was 46 at the time, lived in Moreton, Wirral (UK), and was Chief Engineer aboard the ship.

I am looking for anything that could help me discover more about the incident, whether it be a crew list, official report, or even an eye-witness account from a crew member whom may still be alive today.
This is obviously a long shot, but any help or just general pointers would be greatly appreciated.

Thanks very much for taking the time to read this post,
Andy

*error on subject line - correct year is 1979

Subject Line corrected

[Captain Kong]

Hi Andy,
I joined the ESSO IPSWICH in September 1980 as 2nd Mate,.
I never heard of the Incident. which as you say was only 12 months before.
The Captain was George Clarke and the Mate was Frank Clayton, both now deceased.
I joined the coastal fleet after the reduction of the Deep Sea fleet in August 1979 but I am sure an incident like that would have been known around the fleet. but I never heard anything about it.
Cheers
Brian

[Andy Lewis]

Many thanks Brian for your insight, this information could be the beginning of finding out what actually happened that day.

I would be greatly indebted for absolutely anything anybody can offer.

I have tried to attach a newspaper cutting from the time, but if it doesn’t work here it is quoted from the Liverpool Echo, September 1979:

“Memorial Service for Man Swept to Death:
A memorial service is planned for October 7 for a Wirral man swept to his death from the deck of an oil tanker earlier this month. John Robert Lewis, 46, of Woodside Avenue Moreton, was chief engineer on the Esso oil tanker, Ipswich. On September 8th he took ill while the ship was in the English Channel. Mr. Lewis’s wife, two children from a previous marriage, Richard, 19, and Laura, 17, his mother Ceridwen and brother David will be heading the mourners at the memorial service at St Winifred’s Church in Westbourne Road, Claughton.”

[Captain Kong]

Hi Andy,

thanks for the reply.
The Echo says , " He was swept to his death from the deck ............."
and then it says , " On September 8th he took ill while the ship was in the English Channel."

So maybe he died in hospital ashore..
I am only Guessing, but maybe he was swept overboard into the sea, rescued, and being injured or suffering the ill effects of that incident died in a hospital ashore.

In many cases when a man is swept overboard into the obvious stormy sea, the body is lost.

I will keep looking out for information on his death.
Cheers
Brian.

[Andy Lewis]

Really appreciate your support Brian, thank you! There has been some speculation that it was some sort of cover story - I doubt this to be the case, but as you have said it is unusual that you never heard of it, especially having joined only a year later.

I have attached a picture of him from 1958 (his first wedding) - perhaps somebody may recognise him?

John Robert Lewis (2).jpg

[Doc Vernon]

Just for now
Yes there is a record of this death on FMP but just very basic details ,it has a Reference of S0049 which i do not know the meaning of.
I will look deeper into this later
Hope i may be able to come up with more?
Cheers

[Keith at Tregenna]

Earlier than info requested but pos of interest ?

Esso Ipswich - (1960-1972)

Keith.

[Andy Lewis]

Earlier than info requested but pos of interest ?

Esso Ipswich - (1960-1972)

Keith.

Thanks Keith, some really useful information there regarding the vessel itself which may assist with the search.

- - - Updated - - -

Just for now
Yes there is a record of this death on FMP but just very basic details ,it has a Reference of S0049 which i do not know the meaning of.
I will look deeper into this later
Hope i may be able to come up with more?
Cheers

Thank you so much for taking the time to have a look; this is something I'd like to get some closure with, so very appreciative of any help received! I would definitely be interested to see this entry, and any subsequent record that might go along with it. It seems like the records available for this time are very limited, which makes the search even more difficult.

[Malcolm Hustwith]

I joined the Esso small coastal fleet in 1977 and at the time of this incident was 2nd mate on the Esso Woolston, but heard nothing about it. I did a trip on the Ipswich in 1977 and remember that she was a clean oiler, so there would be no reason for the C/E to be on the deck at sea and especially not in bad weather. At 1600 dwt she only had a small freeboard whether loaded or in ballast and could easily ship seas in either condition.

[Captain Kong]

That is right Malcolm
the news would have soon gone round the Fleet ,Almost everyone knew each other.
Maybe he died ashore in a hospital .
No one went on deck on those ships in heavy weather. and certainly not a Ch. Engineer. no reason to. I did several trips on the Ipswich
Cheers
Brian