WELL EQUIPPED WITH BOATS

Evening Post, Volume LXXXIII, Issue 140, 13 June 1912, Page 3

WELL EQUIPPED WITH BOATS

'AUCKLAND,. 12th June. The Titanic disaster illustrated, at the coßt of so many lives, the necessity for ocean-going steamers carrying sufficient lifeboats to accommodate every soul on board. The Shaw, Savill, and Albion Company's steamer Zealandic, which arrived from London, via Australian ports, this morning, was the first steamer under any flag to leave the port with enough boats to provide accommodation for the whole of the passengers and crew. The news of, the sinking of the Titanic was received only a few days before the Zealandic was to sail for Sydney with 1211 immigrants for the Commonwealth, and, brushing aside the limitation permitted by the Board of Trade regulations, the owners purchased sufficient additional boats to ensure a place for every person on the vessel. The upper deck of the Zealandic presents an unusual appearance, there being no fewer than twenty-six lifeboats in position there. Each of them is capable of accommodating sixty persons. Eight of the boats are swung over tho side ready to be lowered at a moment's notice, and there are also a number of collapsible boats, which are constructed to accommodate fifty-six persons. ■