A NEW UNION LINER.

Marlborough Express, Volume XLVI, Issue 264, 7 November 1912, Page 7

A NEW UNION LINER.

On August 17th there was launched from the yards of Messrs John Brown, Ltd., Clydebank, the triple-screw Royal mail steamer Niagara, which has been built to the highest class at Lloyds for the Union Steam Ship Company of New Zealand. This fine ship will take up the Company's service between Australia and Vancouver. The following are her dimensions :—Length;overall 543ft.V;breadth moulded 66ft., depth to upper deck 37ft. 6in., depth to boat deck 64ft., gross tonnage 13,000 tons. The cargo will be worked by hydraulic lifts, and a large portion of the hold space has been insulated. The passenger accommodation is very extensive and luxurious', not only in the first class but in the second and third, classes as well, the fittings being of the latest and best type. There is room for 281 first-class passengers amidships, the staterooms being arranged for one, two, three, or four passengers, while several groups of cabins have been arranged for family parties. On the shelter and promenade decks there are -a number of oneand two-berth cabins fitted with bed-' steads instead of the ordinary ship's berths. Two cabins de luxe are situated on the shelter deck. The I woodwork in these is painted white, j with electro-plated metal. Each of these staterooms has a separate bath and lavatory. The first-class dining saloon has accommodation for 190 passengers, and is situated pn the upper deck, all the tables being arranged for small parties. A library, writingroom, music room, smoke-room, children's saloon, an electric elevator, and photographic dark room have all been fitted, and leave nothing to be desired in the way of comfort. The second and third class compartments provide accommodation for 210 and 176 passengers respectively, and are fitted up to perfection. The crew's quarters are situated well away from the pas•sengers. The captain's and officers' quarters are under the flying bridge. The ventilation of the ship is most complete, electric exhaust fans, and thermp tank, systems being installed/ The lifeboat equipment, which includes a steam launch, is most complete. The Niagara is fitted with hospitals, infectious and non-infec-tious, a barber's shop, and' a laundry. There is also a complete system of wireless telegraphy, and telephone communication is also arranged between the various public rooms and different points of the ship.