BIG LINERS

Evening Star, Issue 19614, 21 July 1927, Page 9

BIG LINERS

THE LIMITS OF MODERN LUXURY. The whole question of sea travel, so far as the travelling public is concerned, resolves itself into getting to one’s destination as expeditiously as possible, with tho greatest degrco_ of comfort and luxury. In my opinion, there is no class of ship afloat to compare with the big liners in satisfying theso conditions (writes Sir Bertram Hayes, White Star captain, in the ‘Daily Chronicle’). Shipbuilders have solved tho problem of the strength of hull necessary to withstand the strains they arc subjected to in passing through heavy seas, and engineers have evolved types of engines which cause little or no vibration when they are being driven at high speed even in had weather. Tims they are just as safe and a good deal more comfortable than ships of a more moderate size. They arc, of course, tho most expensive class of ship to build on account of their great strength, and the luxurious manner in which they are fitted out. The cost, too, of operating them, on account of tho largo crew they carry to minister to the wants of passengers, is enormous. One wonders sometimes how shipowners have the courage to “ place so many eggs in one basket,” and whether the limit in size has not been reached. Personally, I think it has. A few more tons may ho added, so that some fum may advertise that they own tho “largest ship in tho world,” or to satisfy some nation’s vanity, but not enough to make any material difference in their present size.

Tho limits of luxury, too, I should say, have been touched. There aro private! suites of rooms that cannot bo excelled for comfort, oven in tho most expensive hotels on shore. In the restaurants one can entertain one’s friends as lavishly as one wishes. Then there are Turkish, electric, and swimming baths, gymnasiums, squash racket courts, and specially-laid dancing floors. The size of ships is governed largely by (be depth of water at tho ports between which they ply. Here again the limit, if not quite, has almost been readied, unless tho port authorities aro prepared to spend vast sums to deepen the channels leading to their ports, which they show no signs of doing at present. _ I do not think that too much attention need bo paid to rumors that shipowners will not he able to afford to construct big liners in the near future. Only a few months ago Mr Franklin, president of the International Mercantile Marine Company, stated that the White Star had had plans prepared for one, and were about to begin building it. By far the greater number of tho passengers on big liners are on holiday, and tho voyage is probably the most enjoyable part of all. While they are crossing they have nothing todo but enjoy themselves. Everything is clone to make tho time pass-pleasantly —so pleasantly, in fact, that, when the passage is drawing to its close, one hears on all sides wishes expressed that it could last a few days longer. For tliis reason I do not think that tho air liners wh.cn they make their appearance, will prove a serious rival to the big ocean liners.