CRUISE LINER

Evening Post, Volume cxxiv, Issue 148, 20 December 1937, Page 12

CRUISE LINER

STRATHAIRD ARRIVES

ELABORATE EQUIPMENT

I The third cruise ship of the season, the P. and O. liner Strathaird, arrived at Wellington this morning from Auckland and Australia, with about 500 passengers. A number of the travellers took the opportunity of seeing something of the North Island by coming overland, one party going to Napier, one to New Plymouth, one to Wanganui, and one to the Chateau. Some of the passengers made sight-seeing trips of the city and suburbs this morning. The ship is to leave for Sydney at 6.30 p.m. The Strathaird, which is of 22,284 tons, has no fewer than 380. first-class cabins and 241 tourist class cabins, and is able to carry 1168 passengers. Among the attractions of her first-class accommodation are diffused lighting, mirrors, inset cupboards, . and bedsteads in place of bunks. There arenumerous verandah cafes, lounges, smoking-rooms, and dining saloons magnificently set up. The lofty ceiling and atmosphere of spaciousness, gives more an impression of an aristocratic hotel than a ship. Many hundreds of square feet of space have been set outside for sports purposes and the first-class passengers have the A deck almost to themselves. An enclosed swimming pool 29ft by 15ft and from three, to six feet deep is situated aft, and around it are tables and wicker chairs. Sitting accommodation is prbvided for those wishing to see the "talkies" in space enclosed for the purpose on the port side. , There are three hospitals on the Strathaird, two for the use of the passengers and the other for the crew. Two surgeons, a dispenser, a nursing sister, and a male attendant are with the,ship on all her voyages. The firstclass hospital also has a dispensing room and an operating room. Quite a number of minor operations are car-, ried out on the voyages. All the amenities of a city are to be found on the ship, and a shop contains toys, brassware, trinkets, jewellery, laundry, shoes, and many other necessities. Barber shops, bars, and darkrooms are also provided.

The latest navigating instruments are carried, and the ship is fitted with all conceivable devices for the safeguarding of her passengers. A "gyro pilot" will steer the ship automatically on any set course and she has several gyro compasses in addition to the ordinary compasses. A Marconi sounding device, fire detectors, and instruments for noting the speed of the propellers, the movements of the rudder, and the course of the ship are but a few of the devices on the bridge and in the chartroom. The fire detectors comprise 18. tubes through which air is forced from various'parts of the. ship and the presence of smoke in the air is indicated. The ship can be divided into six watertight compartments' in 38sec by means of apparatus controlling five doors. Four of them are in the engine-room. Other watertight doors on the ship are operated by hand.