CRUISE VESSEL

New Zealand Herald, Volume LXXVI, Issue 23269, 11 February 1939, Page 14

CRUISE VESSEL

STRATIIEDEN ARRIVES FIRST VISIT TO PORT TOTAL OF 973 PASSENGERS Seventh cruise ship of the 1938-30 season, tho Peninsular and Oriental Steam Navigation Company's liner Stratheden arrived at Auckland from Crisbane yesterday after a fine-weather passage and berthed at Western Wharf early in tho afternoon. She brought 973 passengers, including Sl3 Australian tourists, the remainder having booked to land at Auckland or Wellington, or for the round-trip from London and other ports beyond Australia. A vessel of 24.000 tons, with a designed speed of 21 knots, the Stratheden is very similar to the Strathmore, having a. single large funnel and two masts. Sho embodies the latest devices to promote comfort in tho tropics, including air-conditioning in the main din dining saloon. The public rooms are furnished in a typical modern English style, and much use is made of flush panelling in richcoloured woods. The principal decoration in the first-class lounge is ! a series of tinted mirrors bearing a bold etched design. Amidships there is a very spacious ballroom open to the promenade deck 011 both sides, and a swimming bath is situated aft. The liner entered the London-Sydney service early last year and has not previously visited New Zealand. She is under the command of Captain R. Harrison. D.5.0.. R.D., It.X.K., commodore of the Peninsular and Oriental fleet, and formerly commander of the Strathmore. Many of the'St ratheden's passengers left yesterday afternoon on tours to Hotorua or overland to Wellington, while others went 011 sightseeing trips in the city and suburbs. The liner is 0 to be open to the public this afternoon in aid of the Flying Angel Missions to Seamen and the Shipwrecked Mariners' Society, and will sail for Wellington at 11 o'clock to-night.