Petro Sea

Dave, I assume you are referring to me and all that I can say is that you have drawn a good comparison. The accomodation was indeed spartan. However, the were all built well inxs of class requirements. This was started in the Bulk Carriers which were forever grounding iwo San Felix (Mile 186) Puerto Ordaz and suspected bottom damage incurred. From tob flat bottom to tob 36mm.

Bill, It was you I was thinking of - thanks for confirming the high build standard, not sure where I heard that Ludwig built above spec but good to have it verified.

Perhaps a basic, or indeed you could say an austere ship.
However one thing you can't argue with is that she had clean lines, and well built to boot.
You certainly can't say the same for the modern efforts.
Do you know her size Dave?

Jim, She was just a tad under 44,000 deadweight, completed by the Kure Shpyard in 1957 and had dimensions 712'03"x 97'04"x37'07" draught, so a big ship in her day.

Kev,
Beauty is in the eye of the beholder. One thing you could always depend on in Ludwig ships was that everything worked and I mean everything Master and crew.
Machinery was always functioning and we carried plenty of spares for every conceivable mishap. Plenty of quality crew and of course the wages were excellent.

Memories!!

I seen her in La Salina in about 1974, what struck me as odd was that she had no bus shelters on her flying bridge. Also then her forward flying bridge appeared very flimsy compared to her after one, but in this photo all seems pretty standard as regards to its construction.

Hello Bill; I remember you saying that you were on the Universe Sentinel, Texaco had a pair of fine VLCCS on bare boat charter, the Texaco Caribbean and the Texaco Veraguas, I believe there was some connection between these and some of the Ludwig buildings, same yard, tonnage and dimensions. These two ships were constructed to a very high spec., certainly well in excess of any other Texaco
VLCCS visiting Pembroke in my time there. I seem to remember that they were a bit thirsty at full speed.
Bruce.