FULLY FITTED UP

Evening Post, Volume LXXXVIII, Issue 60, 8 September 1914, Page 3

FULLY FITTED UP

WAIMANA COMPLETELY TRANSFORMED TO CARRY LARGEST SECTION OF TROOPS AND OVER 500 HORSES. Of the ten big steamers now being converted into troopships in New, Zealand, no vessel has undergone a greater transition than the Shaw, Savill, and Albion Line's recently-built cargo and immigrant twin-screw ship Waimana. For the past three weeks she has been moored at Taranaki-street Wharf, away from the general hustle and bustle of the central waterfront, but although the scene around her is a comparatively peaceful one, aboard there has been an army of workmen working day and night, and even Sundays, to fit her up so that she will be able to carry her share of men and horses to help the Empire in this its greatest hour of trial. The Waimana will convey moie men than any of the other transports to the storm centre. ,and the second largest quota of horses. When she is ready to sail she will have 1800 souls aboard, 1524 of whom will be the rank and file and non-commissioned officers, 62 officers, and about 550 horses. And, in addition, there will be the vast amount of coal, equipment, stores, and provender necessary for a long sea voyage. As much as forty tons of fresh water alone will be required every day the vessel is at sea. FOR DRILLING THE MEN. Accompanied by Captain BurvillHolmes, R.N.R.. and Mr. Alex. Campbell, the well-known builder, who between them have been chiefly responsible for carrying out the huge undertaking of transformation, a Post reporter was permitted to pay a visit of inspection to the vessel and gain some inside knowledge of what has actually been done aboard. The first feature that attiacts the 'attention is an added top deck, facetiously known, as "General Godley's race track." This "parade ground" was added on the suggestion of the Commandant of the New Zealand Forces, who realised ho* important it was that some provision should be made to enable the men to stretch their legs. It is an ideal "air lung" for a crowded troopship, being about 150 feet long — practically a third of the whole length of the Waimana — 60 feet broad at the for'ard end, and 50 feet wide at the after end. This acquisition will be an invaluable one. It will allow of the men to be drilled and exercised so that they maj be fit and well when their destination is reaohed. Further for'ard another smallec temporary deck has also been erected for promenade purposes, and although limited in area will prove of great value for drilling the men in small numbers. "HOLMES' S PATENT SKYLIGHTS." Throughout the whole ship the greatest attention has been paid to ventilation, and the Waimana will be more fortunate in this respect than, some of her sister troopships. All the hatches have been fitted with what, are jocularly nick-named "Holmes patent skylights," the master of the vessel being responsible for their origin. The skylights supplying the fresh air for the men's quarters are made with two large trap doors, which in fine weather will be thrown wide open. Along the sides underneath them laths of timber, with spaces between them, have -Been installed, so that in fair weather or foul, even if the skylights are closed there will be a steady supply of ozone. Down below, in the quarters which are not served with ventilation by the skylights, wind-shields supply the fresh air and big electric fans draw the air out, so that every part of the ship -will be fully ventilated, reducing the ' Tisk of sickness to a minimum. SPECIAL FEVER WARDS. Adjoining the "race track" and aft of it are the fever ■ isolation wards. There are two of them, one on each side of the deck, and each of them fitted with twelve bunks — twenty-four in all. These will not be used for ordinary sickness — the usual ship's hospital will provide for requirements in this direction — but for men who may perhaps contract diseases of a contagious nature. Nothing has been left to chance, and although, with such thoroughly-aired quarters, there is little chance of an outbreak of sickness, preparation has been made to meet even this remote contingency. - i On the " spar " deck, which is really the roof of the shelter deck, is a perfect maze of horse-boxes. A great advantage the Waimana will have will be that it will only be necessary to " sling " fifty or sixty of the large number of horses aboard, and these will be those confined in the lower holds. By far the larger number will be led on to the vessel, a process saving a great deal of time and difficulty. Here forty additional lavatories have also been fitted up for the troops, as well as thirty-six added washbasins. On the shelter deck bunk accommodation has been provided for no less than 744 men. Bunks are everywhere, and not a yard of space has been wasted. Twenty-eight extra baths have been here installed, -so that devotees of the early morning tub will have no reason to complain of lack of facilities. Hot and cold water is laid on throughout. The midship section of the shelter deck has been utilised as the lower' messroom for the troops. Seating accommodation has been provided for 250 men, and adjoining is the troop dispensary and a small arms magazine. Racks for 1500 rifles have also been fitted up. A MAZE OF HORSE BOXES. Along one side of the shelter deck is a long unbroken vista of horse boxes to house 100 horses, and when filled with animals it will present a unique spectacle. Every tenth stall will be left, vacant, and in the event of a horse getting down the other eight animals will be shifted along, enabling two stalls to be available for placing the animal in distress in an upright position. The main troops' messroom is situated on the deck below the bridge deck, and tables and forms have been erected to seat 550 men at one time. The two troop messrooms will enable the whole of the men aboard to be served with meals at only two sittings. A special messroom is provided for 125 non-commission-ed officers, and another messroom for sixty-two officers. An extra troop galley has also been put in, fitted, with, new stoves and equipment. The cabins for the een^ior officers are on the lower bridge deck. There is accommodation for twelve altogether, and the only difference between these cabins and those provided for the other officers is that they are a little wider. The ( work on the Waimana is now completed and to-morrow she is due to sail for Auckland. The fact that she has been so altered out of recognition in the short space of three weeks is almost incredible. But willing hands and many — 300 carpenters, electricians, and others have been engaged — have made light work of the heavy task, reflecting the utmost credit oti all tho&o who have been associated with the work of transformation.