By
Louise Butcher
Last year Navy News ran a story on the Esther Williams Trophy
(Chasing Esther, July 15, 2004), the photo of the beautiful
aquatic film star that officers from over 200 vessels have fought
over, making it a sought after prize between wardrooms.
With its beginnings set back in 1943, the trophy has been fought
over by US, British and Canadian ships, often inspiring daring
and somewhat chaotic strategies to obtain her.
The trophy is now a naval tradition with her still being fought
for today. Since the story ran, Navy News has received many
letters and emails about other people’s experiences “chasing
Esther”.
It has prompted wide discussion amongst those in the Australian
Navy, as well as inspiring people in other countries to write
in.
One such person is Commander John Robinson Rtd, from the US
Navy.
He said that his father was RADM R. Robinson, the senior naval
officer killed in Vietnam while leading his cruiser destroyer
group to bombard the port of Haiphong in North Vietnam in 1972.
He recently came across some of his father’s papers, which included
photos of Esther Williams, as well as a large pin-up flag that
was flown by the ship that had possession of Esther so the other
ships knew where she was located.
“I happened to check [on the internet] in Google for any references
to the Trophy and there you were, amazing” CMDR Robinson said
of finding the Navy News story. He said when his father was
serving onboard USS Walker in 1955, he went aboard an English
ship, hiding until he was discovered by the British sound and
security watch.
As it was an “officer’s” affair (Esther is only fought over
by officers), the watch left him alone and Robinson then made
his way to the wardroom where Esther was hanging on the wall.
“When Dad entered the wardroom, he had just touched Esther when
the lights went on. The wardroom was full of officers, and in
the ensuing confusion, Dad grabbed Esther and ran out onto the
deck and jumped, was not thrown, into the water,” he said.
USS Walker’s motor whaleboat was waiting by prearrangement to
pick him and Esther up. CMDR Robinson said USS Walker eventually
lost Esther to another destroyer at some point after that.
CMDR Robinson has now sent his fathers personal papers and photos
to the US Historical Foundation in Washington DC.
He has also sent the information to Australian filmmake r, Mick
DeJong, who is collecting information for a documentary on the
Trophy.
