TRANSTASMAN LINER

Manawatu Standard, Volume LV, Issue 65, 13 February 1935, Page 2

TRANSTASMAN LINER

FOR UNION COMPANY. Particulars of the new steamer being built by Vickers-Armstrong, Ltd., Bar-row-in-Furness, for the Union Steam Ship Company of New Zealand, Ltd., have been supplied by the latter. The length of tho vessel, which is expected t-o be completed about August, 1936, will be about 520 feet and 514 feet overall; tho beam about 74 feet; the gross tonnage about 14,000, and the displacement about 15,000 tone. In outward appearance the vessel will ho on very up-to-date lines, the bow being well raked forward with the stem above the water line consisting of a rounded plate instead of a straight bar. Sho will have a cruiser stern and two large rather short oval funnels and two masts. Provision in being made for about 4QO first class, 160 ton l ist class and 40 steerage passengers. Accommodation will be arranged on five decks with a dock above comprising a clear sports space between the funnels of 48 feet by 45 feet. On the' boat deck there will be a group of one-bertli cabins with private baths, as well as tho wireless office and the gymnasium, which will be fitted with a complete set of gymnasium apparatus. On the next or promenade deck tho first-class space will be enclosed by steel screens, liberally furnished with large glass windows which can ho opened as required, but when closed will add greatly to the comfort nr the passengers, especially when crossing the Tasman Sea in the winter. As tho forward end of the promenade deck will be a palm court forming a splendid observation place when the vessel is entering harbours, etc. This will he built round the music room, library and writing room. Amidships will bo the lounge, about 50 feet square, with French windows opening on to tho deck and a gallery round three sides. This apartment, which will bo luxuriously furnished and decorated, will be specially fitted with a cinema projector for showing talking pictures. Abaft the lounge an innovation which will probably be much appreciated will be a men’s clubroom on one side and a women’s clubroom on the other. Next will come the spacious and comfortably furnished smoke room, and the extreme after end of the enclosed promenade will be occupied by a verandah, cafe and dance room, with a Jais for the orchestra. On the alter end of this deck will be the hospital, which is clearlv shown in the illustration on this page, the rest of the space being allocated to the tourist class for promenade and sports. The next or A deck will in tlie nrst■liiss portion be occupied by cabins, ex2ept for the mn.in vestibule (where an inquiry bureau will be situated), and ior the hairdresser’s shop. The tourist •lass public rooms will be situated at the after end of this deck, and will consist of a spacious smoke room and in even larger lounge. The various decks will bo connected !>v electric passenger lifts. Special consideration has been given to the ventilation of all cabins, passage ways and public rooms, an ample supply oi fresh air being delivered to even the 'owost deck. Instead of electric bells i telephone will he installed in each irot-class cabin, by which orders may ’>3 given, as well as allowing the pasiengers to communicate with each fiber, and in port in Sydney. Melbourne, Auckland or "Wellington, with the citv exchange system. Provision vill also be made for wireless" telephone ’omnmnioa.tion between the ship and Hi ore provided arrangements for reception on land can he made available. Besides the up-to-date British talking picture equipment the vessel will be fitted with a system of loud speakers in public rooms and on the decks for broadcasting music, announcements regarding passing objects, etc. ' The vessel is expected to steam 2-5 knots, enabling her to maintain 24-clay passages hot ween Sydney and New Zealjjnd. Sho will have 50,000 feet of refrigerator space.