Big British Liner For N.Z. Trade

Northern Advocate, 28 July 1938, Page 7

Big British Liner For N.Z. Trade

(Received 1.30 p.m.) LONDON, July 27. In the presence of a large gathering of New Zealanders and Australians, Lady Essendon launched, at the yards of Swan. Hunter and Wigham Richardson, Ltd., Wallsend, the Shaw, Savill and Albion liner Dominion Monarch, of 27,000 tons gross. Accommodation for 524 first-class passengers, of which 159 will have single berths, is provided. Every cabin has a telephone. The vessel has a 250-feet long sports deck, also a swimming pool. Other outstanding features are refrigerated capacity for 505,000 cubic feet, of which 66,000 are in chilled gaspipe compartments. The loaded speed is 22 knots, giving a sea service speed of approximately 20 knots. It is claimed that the Dominion Monarch is the most powerful British motorship afloat. It has engines developing 32,000 h.p. The maiden voyage will be made to Wellington on February 16. Mr Jordan’s Hopes. The New. Zealand High Commissioner, Mr W. J. Jordan, speaking at the launching ceremony, said he hoped the ship would participate in peaceful trade and give satisfaction to producers and consumers alike, and to the enterprising Shaw, Savill Line, which had greatly contributed to the development and prosperity of New Zealand. At a speech at the reception later, the chairman of Messrs. Swan Hunter. Mr Denham Christie, said the ship was built on the same slip as the original Mauretania. Building costs were higher than freights justified, but no reduction was expected, and meanwhile foreigners were increasingly capturing trade. He advised owners to let builders plan ships and thus get to bedrock as to costs, in readiness for future expansion. A Gamble. Lord Essendon, for the shipping company, announced a schedule from London to Fremantle and Adelaide in 26 to 30 days, and Sydney and New Zealand in 32 to 35 days. He said shipbuilding remained a gamble till the revival of world trade. At present, it was restricted through essential rearmament. His company had recently bought on the lines of the chairman’s suggestion. “The new ship’s price is 30 per cent, higher than their estimate of an economic figure,” he added.