ESSO LIMA CHRISTENED "ESSO LIMA" ready for christening. The Esso Lima (Hull 481) the sixth of ten tankers in the construction program for the Standard Oil Company (New Jersey) was christened in Building Dock 11 on October 12. Mrs. Millard G. Gamble, wife of the Manager of the Marine Department, Standard Oil Company (New Jersey) was the Sponsor for the vessel. The christening was scheduled to take place at 11:00 A. M.; however, owing to the unavoidable delay in the arrival of the launching party, it did not take place until 11:23 A. M. Delays in the christening ceremonies in the building docks involve little if any complications. Mrs. Millard G. Gamble is shown christening the ESSO LIMA in Building Dock Eleven on October 12, I949. The clearances between the gate abutments and the sides of a ship the size of the Esso Lima, are sufficient to cause little trouble by current during the towing operations. A strong running current, however, does make docking operations on the south side more difficult. Mrs. Gamble executed her christening duties faultlessly, with a determined crash of the bottle, preceded by a very clear statement that all could hear: “I chrislen thee Essa Lima." Distinguished group at the christening of the ESSO LIMA -- Mrs. J. B. Woodward, Jr., Rear Admiral Edward H. Smith, USCG; Mrs. B. B. Howard, Millard G. Gamble, Manager Marine Department Standard Oil Company (New Jersey) and Mrs Gamble the Sponsor; J. B. Woodward, Jr., President and General Manager of our Company; Mrs. Edward H. Smith, and B. B. Howard, a director of Standard Oil Company (New Jersey). Members of the family of Millard G. Gamble at christening of ESSO LIMA -- M. G. Gamble Ill and Mrs. Gamble; Henry F. Thompson and Mrs. Thompson, Mr. Gamble's sister; Mrs. Millard G. Gamble, Sponsor; her son, William, and Mr. Gamble who is Manager of Marine Department, Standard Oil Company (New Jersey); Mrs. Robert P. Nininger, Mr. Gamble's sister; and Miss Gloria Gamble, Mr. Gamble's daughter. During the morning of the christening it had rained, but as the time approached for the ceremony the sun appeared to brighten even further an already colorful occasion. The weather has been threatening preceding most of the Esso vessels launchings but thus far no rain has occurecl during any of six ceremonies. Included in the launching party were the following members of the Gamble family: Millard G. Gamble, III, and Mrs. Gamble; Henry F. Thompson and Mrs. Thompson. Mr. Gamble’s sister; Mr. and Mrs. l\Iillard G. Gamble and their son, Williarn; Mrs. Robert P. Nininger, l\/Ir. Gamble’s sister; and Miss Gloria Gamble, Mr. Gamble’s daughter. Other distinguished guests present included: Ivlr. and Mrs.  B. V\/oodwarcl, Jr.; Mr. and l\/Irs. B. B. Howard; and Admiral Edward H. Smith and Mrs. Smith. ESSO LIMA is shown in process of being removed from Building Dock Eleven after christening on October 12, 1949. Source : NEWPORT NEWS SHIPYARD BULLETIN, January-February, 1950. ( Thanks to S. Dale Hargrave )