A SILVER SHIP

Evening Post, Volume CXIII, Issue 54, 5 March 1927, Page 18

A SILVER SHIP

- RENOWN RENOVATED PREPARING FOR THE VOYAGE SIMPLICITY OF ROYAL SERVICE Prior to the departure from England of the Duke-and Duchess of York, a great deal of work was entailed in preparing the Eenown for the Eoyal tourists. Immediately after the review of the Fleet arranged in honour of the Dominion Prime .Ministers, who were in England towards the end of last year, the Eenown -was made fast to the quayside at Portsmouth and was delivered into the hands of painters and renovators. For weeks she was in that unattractive condition which reminded one of a prolonged spring cleaning, says "The Post's" London correspondent. - Four days before the Duke and Duchess of York went on board there was an indication of order emerging out of chaos. The carpenter, the polisher, and the painter ceased from their labours, and prac- ■' tically the whole ship's- company concentrated on the tidying up. In twenty-four hours came"the marvellous transformation," "and H.M.S. " Kenown was a ship fit to receive its Eoyal passengers.

In the bright light of the Southern Seas the Renown will look like a silver ship. The serviceable dull grey of the Fleet has been superseded by a lighter grey, which looks like silver from even

Messrs. T. H. Parker, the historical picture dealers, of. Berkeley street, London.

A door from the port side of the dining, saloon leads off to the Duke's sleeping cabin, which up till a few days ago was occupied by the captain of the ship. There is practically no alteration in the . furnishings from what.the captain himself would have had. New blue curtains have been put up, and a mole-coloured carpet has been laid. Passing through another door one comes to the bathroom of the Duke and Duchess, and on the further side is the sleeping cabin of the Duchess. So far as curtains, carpet, and ordinary furnishings are concerned, these are the same as in the Duke's cabin. The narrow bedstead is of silver tone. ' The feminine touch is provided by the addition of mirrors and dressing table.

Another large cabin opens out from the Duchess's cabin, and also has an exit to. the main passage-way. This is being used for the Duchess's boudoir It is simply furnished with settee, easy chairs, a. round table,' and writing table. The curtains again are blue and the carpet is mole. There is a coal fireplace in the compartment. A COMMODIOUS WARDROBE. A cabin similar to that of the Duchess is provided next to the boudoir for the Hon. Mrs. Little-Gilmour, liady-m-Waiting, and two other large cabins for four of the ladies' maids The two brass bedsteads in these latter two cabins are divided by curtains -On- the opposite : side ■ of the passageway is a neat little room which will serve, .as dining-and. sitting-room for the maids, and there is also a cabin for.the Duke's valet. One other room should be- mentioned. This is a wardrobe for the ladies' dresses. There are -i two wide shelves running- almost the whole length-, of the large cabin The' top of the shelves will be used for hatboxes,, and beneath the shelves are several rods from' which the dresses will

and Duchess. The barge is the ordinary type of steam launch with black hull, cruiser stern, and brass funnel, with a small cabin in the stern sheets, such as is used by officers accompanying liberty-men to the shore. On an upper deck a flaming transparency, or something like a transparency, the red torch of the Eenown, has been hoisted into place, and by a disposition'of lighting will-be made to flicker at night over the harbours to which the Benown is bound. The Duke's "Bose" has also been mapped out in lights, and this is placed in front of the bridge. The officers, at their own expense, have installed a cinema outfit, and the films chosen have been, as far as possible, English ones, though wealthy American firms offered theirs for nothing. There are three New Zealand scenic films on board.

The iarge quantity of consumable stores carried is required for the entertainments which the Duke and Duchess will give at ports of call. It is understood that their hospitality will be of an extensive character. The King has supplied wines and spirits from the Boyal cellars, including some very fine vintages. The King has also sent a quantity of pheasants from Sandringham. In addition to largo quantities of game, poultry, and meat, the Eenown carries enough fish to last until she reaches Australia, some 5000 eggs, and a quantity, of venison from the' Boyal parks. ...

In the Boyal mess on ordinary occasions the fare served will-be very plain. At-breakfast. there will be a couple of hot-dishes.and^a cold one; luncheon will be a light meal; at dinner, soup, fish, poultry, joints, sweet or savoury, and dessert and. coffee will be served. In the tropics all meals, will be served cold. ■';■■-■' . . . ' .

lit was reported prior to departure that only New" Zealand butter would tie used for the Boyal table, ■ but the authenticity of this statement" is not touched for. Possibly on this occasion