WONDER OF THE SEA

Manawatu Standard, Volume LI, Issue 198, 23 July 1931, Page 9

WONDER OF THE SEA

GREAT CUNARD GIANT. OUTLAY OF £4,500,000. Some of the jealously-guarded secrets of the new £4,500,000 Cunard liner—the mysterious giant “No. 534” which| is taking shape amid a forest of cranes at Clydebank, wero disclosed a few weeks ago. Beyond the statement that the great ship is to be 1013 ft long with a gross tonnage of 73,000 tons and engines to develop 200,000 horse-power, the details of her design and construction have been kept secret. The work in the shipyards has progressed rapidly, however, and a News-Chronicle reporter describes some of the features which will make the ship a new wonder of the sea. Externally, the most remarkable points of the liner are her bows, her funnels and the arrangement of her decks. The bows are a development of the new bulbous pattern, designed to

give greater speed and to prevent roll- ' ing in heavy seas. Experts spent many months trying scores of differently- ; shaped hulls in a model lake before ! they arrived at the final design. The | result is that the new liner will have ! dry decks even when travelling at top ! speed, because her hows throw the j water away from the ship. The secret of the liner’s funnels is that each one of the three is going to . be a different height. The tallest will be the first, the middle funnel is several yards smaller and the third is smaller still. This plan was evolved after many tests to ensure that the smoke will pass over tlio decks in the worst winds. The modern stumpy funnel, such as the Bremen possesses, has been rejected. Most surprising of all are the decks, of which there are nine, including a huge, platform-like forecastle deck; they will rise in steps to the top bridge, which is nearly 100 ft above the water. The effect of this towering white terrace, practically from the stern, ■ where hitherto unknown areas will be ! available for the passengers, will be nearer than anything so far attained

to the futuristic idea of a great ship. The terrace will impart an impression of solidarity and size that has never before been attempted. On each side of the boat deck, 70ft above the water, will be a row of 14 large and powerful motor lifeboats. These are to be mounted on huge, crane-like davits which quickly swing them clear of the deck. Enormous ventilators, with square mouths big enough to run a tramear through, great garden lounges and promenades all round the ship, and glass-enclosed palm courts below the boat deck are other secrets of the ship. Another innovation 11011 be a chapel where sendee will be held every day during the voyage across the Atlantic. Five hundred men were working on the ship in May. When she has been launched—in about a year from now—and is floating ready to be fitted, the number will have grown to 4000.