THE QUEEN MARY.

Wairarapa Age, 29 May 1936, Page 5

THE QUEEN MARY.

START MADE ON MAIDEN VOYAGE. SCENES AT SOUTHAMPTON. CAPTAIN NOT TO BE DRAWN ABOUT RECORD. RUGBY, May 27. Crowds estimated at a quarter of a million thronged the Southampton Docks, the shores of Southampton Water, and the heights of the Isle of Wight, and packed the decks of every available steamer and motor-boat, while, aeroplanes flew overhead, as the new CunardWhite Star liner Queen Mary cast off on her maiden voyage across the Atlantic and moved slowly from her berth at 3.32 p.m. to-day. The manoeuvre was carried out perfectly and in less than a quarter of an hour. The huge liner made her way through dozens of excursion steamers, while various aeroplane and seaplanes signalled messages good luck from the air. Twenty special trains were run from London, and many others from different parts of the country, packed with people who watched her departure. Many busy hours preceded the liner *s departure,. and every incident, from the muster of the entire crew of 1100 and boat drill with the launching of all 24 unsinkable motor lifeboats to the arrival of many dis-

tinguished passengers and their friends, was cheered by the quayside sightseers. There are 3000 persons aboard. In an interview, the liner’s captain, Sir Edgar Britten, who received messages to-day from well-wishers all over the world, said he was sure the Queen Mary would be a great success and spoke of her as a link of good will between two great English-speaking peoples. The captain was not to be drawn on the question of recordbreaking. He said the ship had a schedule, and he thought that if they kept to it they would not break the record.—(British Official Wireless.)

AT CHERBOURG.

LINER STILL A GAIA SHIP. MAY ATTEMPT RECORD RUN. (Received Thursday, 7.50 p.m.) CHERBOURG, May 28. The Queen Mary arrived: at Cherbourg four hours and twenty minutes after leaving Southampton. The liner embarked a hundred or more passengers and also received, by air films depicting the departure from Southampton and the Derby, which will be shown aboard to-night. The Queen Mary also took aboard 2j millions sterling worth of gold bullion. A woman stowaway found soon after leaving Southampton was landed at Cherbourg. The Queen Mary is still a gala ship, with flowers everywhere. More than two thousand bouquets were delivered for passengers at The commander received over four thousand telegrams wishing him good luck, including one from King Edward. The ■ship carries 3500 bags of mail from London and 35,000 letters through the Southampton Post Office, mostly envelope souvenirs owing to the special stamping. The liner left Cherbourg for New York at 12.35 a.m. The “Daily Mail’s’’ special correspondent aboard learns that the sailing orders are to attempt a record if conditions are favourable. To break the record it is necessary to reach the Ambrose Light, in New York Harbour, on Monday at 6 a.m. The recognised course for the Atlantic record is between the Bishop's Rock in the Scilly Isles and the Ambrose Light. SISTER SHIP. TO BE CALLED KING GEORGE. ANNOUNCED IN FEW DAYS. (Received Thursday, 7.50 p.m.) LONDON, May 3. The “Daily Herald’’ says that a sister ship, to be called the King George, will be annoimced in a few days.