The Esther Williams Trophy
- 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.
DeJong is currently searching for information from people who may have been involved in battles for the Esther Williams Trophy between 1943 to 1947. He can be contacted on oceanconcepts@ledanet.com.au.
Navy News would also like to encourage people with any stories relating to the Esther Williams Trophy to email us at navynews@defencenews.gov.au. See also [ The Esther Williams Trophy ]
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