1961 Press Photo High waves pour drilling barge heliport in Corpus Christi, TX

High waves pour over the heliport (foreground) of the $5.5 million drilling barge "Mr. Louie" after a storm struck it off the coast of Mexico. The tall columns towering above the barge are 150-foot legs that are lowered and anchored to the Gulf floor when drilling is in operation. The crumbled drilling rig lies between the retracted legs. Fourteen drilling crewmen were rescued from the barge and then kept a night-long vigil in two tugboats after the barge broke its towlines.

Photo is dated 1961.

Photo measures 8 x 10 inches.