Mrs. B. B. Howard is shown christening the ESSO GENOVA on September 8, 1949. Mrs. B. B. Howard was the Sponsor for the Esso Genova, Hull 480, which was launched from Shipway Eight on September 8. Mrs. Howard is the wife of a member of the Board of Directors of the Standard Oil Company (New Jersey). Mr. Howard was also formerly head of the Marine Department of that company.     Unusual for a sliding launching was the fact that the vessel was launched two minutes ahead of her scheduled time. All of the launching operations, including removal of shores and keel blocks were executed so expeditiously that the vessel was ready for release of the triggers well ahead of the scheduled time of 11:30. The trigger pit had previously confirmed over the connecting telephone with the Sponsor‘s stand that the Sponsor was ready to christen the ship. Word was then telephoned to the Sponsor’s stand that the ship would be released at 11:28. Mr. Blewett was advised of this fact by the telephone attendant. Few of the guests on the launching stand were aware of the change in time. Members of launching Party of ESSO GENOVA, from left are Mrs. J. B. Woodward, Jr., Mrs. W. E. Blewett, Jr., B. B. Howard, a director of Standard Oil Company (New Jersey); Mrs. Howard, the Sponsor, W. E. Blewett, Jr., Executive Vice President of our Company; Mrs. John R. Suman and Mr. Surnan, a director of Standard Oil Company (New Jersey); and M. G. Gamble, head of Marine Department, Standard Oil Company (New Jersey).     The five previous tankers of this class built in the yard have been equipped with General Electric propulsion equipment. The Esso Genova and the remaining five vessels will be equipped with high and low pressure turbines built in our own plant. Only the reduction gears will be supplied by the General Electric Company. The Newport News built turbines will be the subject of an article to appear in a future issue of the Shipyard Bulletin.     The following guests attended the launching of the Esso Genova and the luncheon that followed at the James River Country Club: Mrs. A. Brooke Taylor, Mrs. John Newton, Mr. and Mrs. Barron Black, Dr. and Mrs. James Diehl, Comdr. and Mrs. Wallis Gearing, Capt. and Mrs. E. C. Raguet, Comdr. and Mrs. Oscar Smith, Col. and Mrs. J. N. McCain, Gen. and Mrs. Frederick Smith, Mr. and Mrs. Charles L. Lockett, Heath Eves, Mr. and Mrs.  M. B. Howard, Mr. and Mrs. George E. Roosevelt, Franz Schneider, Mr. and Mrs. W. J. Wardall Mr. and Mrs. J. A. Norman, Miss Melissa Cobb, W. F. Dunning, Miss Margaret Tighe, Mrs. Julian Roosevelt, Peter Howard, Dudley Rich, Mrs. John Moore, Mrs. Edward Hardy, Mr. and Mrs. S. P. Coleman, Mr. and Mrs. John R. Suman, M. O. Gamble, Mr. and Mrs. G. H. Freyermuth, E. L. Stewart, Mr. and Mrs. W. R. Finney, Mr. and Mrs. Winterbottom, Mr. and Mrs. G. Koegler, Mr. and Mrs. J. H. Allen, W. Z. Gardner, and A. Warner Melvin. ESSO GENOVA is shown sliding down Shipway Eight on September 8, 1949.