Changes

== History ==

== History ==

The vessel, originally named SS ''Esso New Haven'', was built by Sun Shipbuilding and Dry Dock Company, [[Chester]], [[Pennsylvania]] in March, 1944, one of many T2 tankers built to carry and transport oil.  In 1960 she was placed in dry dock by Bethlehem Steel Company, Sparrows Point, [[Maryland]], and converted to carrying a cargo of molten sulfur, and given a name change to ''Marine Sulphur Queen''.  In order to carry out the planned function of carrying molten sulfur, a continuous, independent tank 306 feet long, 30 feet 6 inches wide and 33 feet high was constructed out of the original holds, necessitating the removal of all transverse bulkheads in the original centerline tanks and modifying the internal structure; this tank in turn was divided into four smaller tanks internally.  A void surrounded the tank on all sides, leaving a 2-foot clearance on the sides and bottom, with three feet left between the top and the ship's weather deck[http://home.pacbell.net/corwind/cgreport.html].  A steam system was installed throughout to maintain the molten sulfur at roughly 255 degrees.  

The vessel, originally named SS ''Esso New Haven'', was built by Sun Shipbuilding and Dry Dock Company, [[Chester]], [[Pennsylvania]] in March, 1944, one of many T2 tankers built to carry and transport oil.  In 1960 she was placed in dry dock by Bethlehem Steel Company, Sparrows Point, [[Maryland]], and converted to carrying a cargo of molten sulfur, and given a name change to ''Marine Sulphur Queen''.  In order to carry out the planned function of carrying molten sulfur, a continuous, independent tank 306 feet long, 30 feet 6 inches wide and 33 feet high was constructed out of the original holds, necessitating the removal of all transverse bulkheads in the original centerline tanks and modifying the internal structure; this tank in turn was divided into four smaller tanks internally.  A void surrounded the tank on all sides, leaving a 2-foot clearance on the sides and bottom, with three feet left between the top and the ship's weather deck [http://home.pacbell.net/corwind/cgreport.html].  A steam system was installed throughout to maintain the molten sulfur at roughly 255 degrees.  

The ship's last voyage began on February 2, 1963 out of Beaumont, Texas, with a cargo of sulfur weighing 15,260 tons.  On February 4, near Florida, an ordinary radio message was sent by a crewman, giving the position of the ship at 25°45' N, 86°W.  The ''Marine Sulphur Queen'' was listed as missing on February 6.  A search of the Florida Straits where the ship was believed to have gone down was called off after 19 days, after yielding life preservers and some debris, but no trace of the ship or the 39 men aboard her.  At the time of her February 4 position, she was in rough, nearly-following seas of 16 feet, with northerly winds of 25-46 knots. [http://home.pacbell.net/corwind/cgreport.html]

The ship's last voyage began on February 2, 1963 out of Beaumont, Texas, with a cargo of sulfur weighing 15,260 tons.  On February 4, near Florida, an ordinary radio message was sent by a crewman, giving the position of the ship at 25°45' N, 86°W.  The ''Marine Sulphur Queen'' was listed as missing on February 6.  A search of the Florida Straits where the ship was believed to have gone down was called off after 19 days, after yielding life preservers and some debris, but no trace of the ship or the 39 men aboard her.  At the time of her February 4 position, she was in rough, nearly-following seas of 16 feet, with northerly winds of 25-46 knots. [http://home.pacbell.net/corwind/cgreport.html]

*"10-Year Rift Over Lost Ship Near End," New York Times, February 4, 1973.

*"10-Year Rift Over Lost Ship Near End," New York Times, February 4, 1973.

====On SS ''Sylvia L. Ossa'':====

====On SS ''Sylvia L. Ossa''====

*"Ship And 37 Vanish In Bermuda Triangle On Voyage To U.S.," New York Times, October 18, 1976.

*"Ship And 37 Vanish In Bermuda Triangle On Voyage To U.S.," New York Times, October 18, 1976.

*"Ship Missing In Bermuda Triangle Now Presumed To Be Lost At Sea," New York Times, October 19, 1976.

*"Ship Missing In Bermuda Triangle Now Presumed To Be Lost At Sea," New York Times, October 19, 1976.

*Page containing newspaper transcripts [http://home.pacbell.net/corwind/msqnews.html]

*Page containing newspaper transcripts [http://home.pacbell.net/corwind/msqnews.html]

*Diver's report on possible finding of the wreck in 2001 [http://www.mikey.net/scuba/dive_reports/deep_423_01_01_27.html]

*Diver's report on possible finding of the wreck in 2001 [http://www.mikey.net/scuba/dive_reports/deep_423_01_01_27.html]

[[category:transportation]]

[[Category:Transportation]]