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Marlborough Express, Volume XLII, Issue 129, 2 June 1908, Page 3

Steamship travellers are aware of the inconveniences attending the boarding, of vessels by means of the ordinary gangway. Ii: it is high-tide there is a steep climb from the jetty; while similarly at low-tide there is an abrupt descent to t"he deck level,' or possibly embarkation and landing are effected from -a lower deck, leaving the passenger to wend his way from and to the higher decks through the crowded companionways. An ingenious adjustable gangway whereby these difficulties are overcome has been evolved, and is now in operation at a South of England port. The apparatus comprises a telescopic steel tower running on wheels, the platform of which can be raised and lowered. From the quay a long gangway leads to the platform of the tower, which is accommodated to the height of the steamer's deck, and from this another horizontal gangway leads on to the vessel. The result is that, no matter how high the ship may be out of the water, the disposition of the quay gangway is such that a very gradual gradient is produced, which is much appreciated by elderly and infirm passengers, while, furthermore, the latter are led direct on to the deck corresponding with the class of their tickets. The gangway, also, is of great value for the loading and unloading of live stock, since it provides an excellent runway. Being built of steel, it is a substantial structure. Owing to the success of the apparatus at the English port, one of the German transatlantic steamship lines have installed a similar gangway at their terminal port at Cuxhaven, where its facilities are much appreciated.