The MARY A. WHALEN By The Red Hook WaterStories team The oil tanker MARY A. WHALEN was launched May 21, 1938 . The ship is PortSide NewYork 's ambassador to the BLUEspace and site of our offices and many programs. Why she is significant?... Tags: historic vessels, Ira S. Bushey, Mary A. Whalen, PortSide NewYork Subjects: Atlantic Basin, Mary A. Whalen