LUXURY LINER AS TROOPSHIP

Press, Volume LXXVI, Issue 23052, 21 June 1940, Page 11

LUXURY LINER AS TROOPSHIP

ACCOMMODATION ON VESSEL SPORTING AND SOCIAL FACILITIES Built as a luxury liner, the troopship on which the Burnham soldiers of New Zealand’s 2nd Echelon sailed overseas provided them with de luxe travelling conditions. She was the largest vessel but one to visit Lyttelton. On her, every soldier was provided with a bunk. A large number of the men were accommodated in space which, under normal trading conditions, would have been used for refrigerated cargo, but was remodelled while the ship was in Wellington and Lyttelton for trooping purposes. The first-class dining saloon was converted into a messroom at wnich 1300 soldiers could be served at one time, the ship's furniture, and also fittings from one of the huge public entrance halls, being stored. The quarters for the officers and the non-commissioned officers was of a quality which astounded and delighted the men. The officers of higher rank occupied de luxe suites, for which £25 a day would have been charged on a cruise. The officers’ cabins each had twin beds, which, like the other furniture, was made of the most elegant woods; and adjoining each were private bathrooms, and in some suites, private sitting rooms. The social quarters were rich in design and furnishings. Large Extent of Deck Space The extent of the deck space available for the complement was staggering, and on the day the soldiers embarked it was evident that even on the troop decks space would not be cramped with all the men doing physical culture at one time. Provision was made for the full development of sporting life aboard ship. Six tennis courts were available on the upper deck, and the routine orders provided for the tiled swimming pool on one of the after decks to be used for 14 hours a day. The troops took on board a large quantity of sporting material, including a wrestling mat and many sets of boxing gloves. Boxing is one of the most popular sports among New Zealand soldiers, and that the vaunted prowess of one company at fisticuffs had been fullly tested was proved by the scars and marks which the men proudly showed. One of the two grand pianos on the ship was in the mess deck and a stage was also built for the orchestra of nine soldiers from Burnham and for concerts. A number of records were also placed on the ship by the Patriotic Fund, and they supplemented the stock already in the music cabinet and used for relaying to all parts of the vessel. Loudspeakers for radio were everywhere. An Ordered Day An ordered day for the soldiers was arranged. “Reveille” was sounded at 6 a.m., and breakfast was served at 7. The roll call and sick parade followed at 9, and dinner was at noon. At 2 p.m., sick and roll call parades were repeated, and at 3.30 a light tea was provided. Supper was served in the mess deck at 6, the officers dining an hour later. “First Post" was sounded at 9.30 and "Last Post” at 10, lights out being called a quarter of an hour later. Every care was taken to prevent illness from sunbathing in the tropics. Sleeping or lying in the sun was forbidden, and 30 minutes was fixed as the limit for bath parades remaining in the bath enclosure, and the wearing of headdress was ordered. Beer only in glasses was supplied at the wet canteen, which, as for the dry canteen also on thb mess deck, was open from 6.45 p.m. to 9.30 p.m. daily. All gambling except the favourite army game of “house” was forbidden: “house” was run under orders of the officer commanding the troops, and all profits were credited to the regimental funds. The Officer Commanding was Lieu-tenant-Colonel A. S. Falconer, with Captain I. O. Manson as adiutant, and Captain C.'M. Watson as shin’s quartermaster. Major N. C. Speight was the troop medical officer, and five members of the Army Nursing Service were also on board.