FIRST ELECTRIC LINER.

Press, Volume LXIV, Issue 19466, 13 November 1928, Page 16

FIRST ELECTRIC LINER.

LAUNCH AT GLASGOW. « SHIP OP THE YEAR." (l-BOK OUB OWS OOBBESPOKDEHT.) LONDON, September 21. What is described as "the ship of the year," the new P. and 0. liner, Viceroy of India, was launched, from the Linthouse yard of Messrs Alexander Stephen and Sons, at Glasgow, by Lady Irwin, on September 15th. The new liner, which is of 19,000 tons burden, will be propelled by twin electric motors of 18,000 horse power and turbo-electric generators taking high pressure steam from water tube boilers burning oil fuel. The now vessel will' be lighted by Diesel motor generators, and will be electrically heated. Stability was made the subject of a special clause in the; balloting, contract, and it is expected that the vessel will be very steady in a seaway. The electric system of propulsion should make her free from the vibration and noise usually associated with reciprocating engines or with gearing. She. is 610 ft long, and has a breadth of 80ft and a depth of: 82ft. Her lines are the outcome of model experiments in the National Experimental Tank at Teddington, carried out under the personal supervision of Viscount Ihehcape, chairman of the P. and 0. Company. There are 415 single berth cabins for saloon passengers, and the staterooms each have a private bathroom. In addition to the public rooms, there is a children's room and a 24ft swimming bath; 258 passengers can be carried in the second class, most of the cabins being fitted for two persons. Separate quarters are provided for ayahs, the Indian nurses who often acepmpany European mistresses on voyages between India and Britain.

Comfort of Passengers.

Presiding at luncheon after the launching ceremony, Mr F. J. Stephen (chairman of the builders' company) proposed the health and prosperity of the new ship, which, he said, was the first passenger liner built in Europe with the system , of- turbo-electric machinery. By adopting the electric drive and the principle of single berth rooms, Lord Inchcape and the P. and O. Company had shown their progressive spirit, and he was sure their enterprise would be rewarded, for the vessel should be the most comfortable passenger ship of her size afloat. When they saw what had been done in, this

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