GIANT AIRSHIP

Hawera Star, Volume XLVII, 26 November 1927, Page 9

GIANT AIRSHIP

LATE EDITION

BRITAIN’S LATEST. WONDERFULLY CONSTRUCTED UP-TO-DATE EQUIPMENT. BY CABLE—PRESS ASSOCIATION —COPYEIGHT. Received 10.40 a.m. to-day. LONDON, Nov. 25. Such has been the progress with the Air Ministry's 11100 at the lonely workshop in the East Yorkshire plain, that it will be ready for its trials in four months. It is the largest and most powerful in the world and is twice the size of the biggest zepplin. The first public glimpse disclosed that a colossal framework 700 feet by 130 feet in diameter has been completed. Into this has been built an amazing four-storey hotel. A gangway from the mooring mast leads to a brilliantly lighted saloon 110 feet wide, ranged' on three sides. Off this are the crew’s sleeping quarters, while immediately underneath is what might be called the ground door, consisting of the control and navigating rooms. A wide staircase communicates to the next deck, containing a dining room for fifty persons and a kitchen fitted with electric stove. Prom here two four berth cabins open out. The third or promenade deck is glassed in, 43 feet by 14 feet. There is a resilient dancing floor, the music being picked up by wireless. The promenade can comfortably accommodate one hundred people. The top storey consists of remaining berths and lounge from which the passengers can look into the dining rooms and ballroom below. Electric radiators and fans are everywhere and the ship will be driven by 4200 horse power motors and is provided with six Rolls Royce Candor engines and with 35 petrol tanks, each holding a ton of petrol. Its top speed will be 85 miles per hour and its weight w r ith passengers will be 156 tons. The cost is £4-50,000. It is anticipated that the trans-At-lantic fare will be £IOO for a trip occupying 48 hours. A sister ship RlOl is being built at Cardigan and is nearing the same stage of completion.