Chain of Hotels Dotted Across The Pacific

Manawatu Times, Volume 61, Issue 34, 11 February 1936, Page 2

Chain of Hotels Dotted Across The Pacific

,/*• * * ' M. AIR SERVICE SCHEME M W - ¥ ■ | • PAN-AMERICAN" PROJECT A. ' SAN FRANCISCO, Jan. 15. When, on July 25, 1935, the 6000-ton freighter North Haven, returned to San Francisco from its pioneer construction expedition, Pan-American Airways Company had a complete chain of modern, fully-equipped seaplane bases strung across tho Pacific. In anticipation of tho establishment of air passenger service across tho Pacific, .the North Haven has been again chartered by Pan-American Airways Company, and is making a second trip, having left San Francisco carrying a construction crew of approximately 100 men and 6000 tons of freight. The object of this second argosy is to enlarge these seaplane bases into modern communities, offering every facility for the comfort and convenience of tho air travellers. The North Haven is making a short stop at Honolulu for additional cargo, and then proceeds on to tho intermediate island stations, and finally Manila. The ship will stop at each of the three islauds, Midway, Wake, and Guam, only long enough to unload part of the total construction, personnel, and some 2000 tons of what is probably tho most varied cargo ever carried on a freighter. The cargo includos materials with which to build three modern hotels. Each hotel will have 2i iargo double rooms, with hot and cold running water, and both in each room, a largo dining room, lounge, and kitchen, all of which will be completely furnished in every detail. On each island a huge new navigating beacon light, 36in. in diameter, will be mounted on top of a 90ft. beacon tower. At Midway Island transportation for passengers will bo provided by the two beach station automobiles, equipped with oversize balloon tyres which enable them to travel over the soft coral sand when fully loaded. Four Month's Work. At Wake Island a concrete dock will .be built and a 20-ton power derrick installed to lift heavy equipment from tho barges which convey supplies and equipment to tho dock from the ship. In order to transport building materials and regular supplies across the island, 2000 feet of narrow-gauge railway will be constructed aud a 5-ton gasoline locomotive will be used to puli fiat cars. According to present plans it is estimated that the work of the expedition will bo completed and tho ship will return to ttau Francisco in approximately four months. On the return trip the North Haven will carry supplies from Manilla to be stored on the island for personnel, and later, for the service of air passengers. Mr K. A. Kennedy, Pacific division traffic manager of Pan-American Airways, when interviewed, stated that over 300 applications had already been received by the company from persons anxious to make the first passage on the inaugural clipper passenger aeroplane over the Pacific from California to the Orient. He declined to divulge any names, but it was known that several eastern magnates and scores of Hollywood celebrities were among those who had asked for reservations on the transpacific passenger ’planes. Apparently those mid-Pacific islands will become eventual tourist resorts, and, with the installation of modern hotels, every convenience will be provided ior globe-trotters. Opportunities wilt be furnished for theatre-goers, who will bo able to visualise the latest moving pictures, as films will be carried on each trip of the clippers for exhibition purposes on the airbase islands at tho new hotels. The new mid-Pacific communities firmly established will open up a hitherto trackless Tegion of the ‘‘trackless wastes” of the wide expanse of the Pacific, thereby ensuring new links with tho distant Orient and tho American mainland.