A ROYAL LAUNCH

Evening Post, Volume CXIX, Issue 104, 4 May 1935, Page 24

A ROYAL LAUNCH

3N TI3W P. AND 0. LINER

"A SHIP OF PEACE"

COMPANY'S LARGEST VESSEL

(From "The Post's" Representative.) LONDON, April 6.

H.R.H. the Duchess of York,'who was accompanied by the Duke, visited Barrow-in-Furness to launch at the naval construction works of VickerdArmstrongs, the Strathmore, the 24,000-ton twin-screw, turbine-driven vessel built there to the order of the P. and O. .Company. This ship, the largest ever built by that company in its 100 years' history, will, it is hoped prove to be the fastest ship on the route between Europe and Bombay | The launch was also made the occasion of a public announcement of, great importance by Sir Charles1 Craven, managing-director of VickersArmstrongs at Barrow, namely, that this company has during the last few days purchased the ship-repairing and dry-dock business of Messrs. Palmers at Hebburn, and hopes, jwith the financial support of the VickersArmstrongs Company behind the present management at Hebburn, to do something to relieve unemployment on the North-East Coast.

The Duke and Duchess were received by General Herbert Lawrence, chairman of Vickers-Armstrongs, and Lady Lawrence. The launching ceremony was very brief. It had been fixed for 11 a.m., but high tide in the channel between the yard and Walney Island had .already passed, and it was only 10.53 when the Duchess pulled a little lever and let fall a bottle of Empire wine against the liner's bows. Even as-the ,bottte,crashed against the liner's&ide the great vessel began to move down/the-slipway-towards-the- water; on iWhich\white hpßsesewere; breaking. The Duchess said: "I name this ship the Stratftmbre." May God bless all those who sail in her." A burst of sunshine and a rapid clearing of the sky favoured the launch, and a'beautiful sight was presented ,as the tall white-painted hull, with far morevof the,superstructure already completed than is customary at launches, glided steadily down the slipway into the water. SYMPATHY WITH UNEMPLOYED.

"It's a Royal launch, all right," an old sailor said.' "I never saw a ship go down with such sweet smoothness." The Duke of York, speaking at the subsequent luncheon, hoped the distress in the shipping industry elsewhere would be forgotten. "I know," he said, "you would like to send-the unemployed a message of sympathy. May we all look-forward to thus 'to1 ■increased 'activijor" &•■>the Hshipbuilding y?Fd§ £ f^^'S*countryi which stand £«;ond<to jnoiie-fc^produciiig' the ships I of.,!the jvorß^k, ,'*/»-; r \ \- Herbert .AULaVr&ce^who presided,- stated&ihit^ihe^Vii^rs- Arm-] strpngsiCpmpany ipday Ai^as'employing over 30,000f people/ compared with 24,600 'a.-xqar' ago,, 1 and in Barrow SKV-i olUt * ? eafly n'ooo' against 9000 *ast s year. 'The1 Company's order aookiwas today--'considerably better tpan;^ some^ears^an^employment in the ,tforapany/>hbuld^jWJ further improve in ' th*»-next'tso^or three years/ r % . <FBESENTAT^OK PORTRAIT. Bir. Alexander Shaw asked the 1 Duchess of YorikSj,acceptarice, on behaU both of ,the, P. and O. and of the *uil<jters,.Qf Hhe Strathmore, of- her portrait painted Simon I Ejwes- .A^cppy of> it painted by the artist will hang mr the Strathmore, and will thus ga aU over the world bearing memories 'Of th* Duchess and of the launch. r • -Mr. Shaw added:* "This vessel is a new link of Empire, and it is a link forged by imaged British private enterprise without' public assistance." To a. Scofsirian, it* was particular satisfaction ' that this „ third "Strath" built by the Pi .and O. Company, had been launched by £ a daughter of the historic house of Strathmore, twhose name the vessel bore.

THE DUKE'S GOOD WISHES. , j The puke of York, responding, expressed thanks for the charming picture of the Duchess. "This picture,"! he said, "will.always be cherished by; my wife and myself and will remind her of a very interesting day spent in one of the largest shipyards and engineering works" in this country. As a sailor I personally take great inter-1 est in..theHaunch;of a new ship, and! when I saw the Strathmpre glide down I the slipway this morning and take to! the -water amidst the cheers of those j who have worked so well upon her, I' felt that we had been spectators of a great occasion when-a ship of peace was started on her career to be, what we all wish, a sure and commendable! ambassador of good will wherever shei sails. , I congratulate Sir Charles! Craven and 'all who have been associated, with him in the design and building of the Strathmore, and I trust she will always be a happy ship for those who sail in her, and prove herself a worthy member of the fleet which' is owned by the P. and O. Company." . ' The Strathmore is of 24,000 tons burden, with oil-driven twin-screw turbines developing .' 24,000 ; horse-power, and carries a crew of :;510. She has eight decks, two viceregal suites, accommodation for 445 first-class passengers'and tourist ■■ accommodation for 665. • She will' have .the latest lifesaving ; devices and' patent launching gearVvand a special smoke-detection system; .Her. -woodwork will be covered with flre-resisting' paint.