LAUNCH OF AWATEA.

Auckland Star, Volume LXVII, Issue 72, 25 March 1936, Page 9

LAUNCH OF AWATEA.

BY LADY BLEDiSLOE.

UNION COMPANY'S LINER,

The new passenger liner -Awatea, built by Messrs. Vickers-Armstrong, Limited, for the Union Steam Ship Company, was launched on February 25 from her builders' yards at Barrow, Lady Bledisloe performing the christening ceremony. The vessel is for the trans-Tasman trade between Sydney and Auckland and Sydney and Wellington, and she is expected to do the run in CO hours, her speed being 22.3 knots. She has accommodation for 400 first class, 1(50 tourist and 40 steerage passengers

The Awatea is a twin-screw turbinedriven vessel with a raking stem and a cruiser stern, carrying two masts and two short oval funnels. She has five decks with a clear sports space of 48 feet by 45 feet, between the funnels. The first-class promenade deck is enclosed by steel screens fitted with windows, Ind at the for'ard end an observation deck is fitted. Gymnasium, music rooms, library, writing rooms and a luxurious lounge are outstanding features of the new vessel. The decks are cpnnected with electric nfto and telephones are installed in each first-class cabin. Provision will also be made for wireless telephone communication between ships and the shore wherever possible. The new liner is expected to arrive ia New Zealand in October. .