AMERICAN LUXURY LINERS

Bay of Plenty Times, Volume LXXV, Issue 14185, 9 October 1946, Page 4

AMERICAN LUXURY LINERS

VESSELS FOR PACIFIC OCEAN

COMMISSION'S PROGRAMME Plush vessels for Pacific Ocean travellers three years hence have been programmed by the Maritime Commission. "Larger and faster than any ever built in this country," was the commission's promise as it called for shipyards to bid on the construction of two new luxury liners. The ships, which are to carry up to 1238 passengers and be capable of making the United States west coast to Japan run in eight days, should be delivered about March, 1949, the commission estimated. They will be 920 foot express passenger vessels of special design with a speed of 30 knots and a deadweight tonnage of 12,500. They will feature "more extensive use of aluminium in marine construction than ever before attempted. Described by the commission as "epochal vessels" and designated by it as "Great Circle liners." they will have superstructures "built mainly of aluminium," and use 770 tons of that light material. This use of aluminium will produce the "most streamlined ships ot our merchant marine. Designers believe it will permit stability with a beam of only 86 feet and help the ships to "attain greater speed with considerably less horsepower than heretofore has been possible." Three swimming pools—one for each of the three classes of passengers—a theatre accommodating 304 persons, a circular shopping arcade with dress shop, beauty and barber shops, photograph studio and candy and cigar stores will be among the other features. Passenger accommodations will be divided as follows: First class, 475; tourist, 207; and third class, 696. All first and tourist class travellers will have private baths. There'll be four dining saloons capable of seating 826 at one time.

A crew of 590 officers and men will be required.