DOMINION MONARCH

Wairarapa Times-Age, 23 December 1938, Page 2

DOMINION MONARCH

A LINER IN THE MAKING 2000 MEN AT WORK. FEATURES OF CONSTRUCTION. The Dominion Monarch, of 27.000 tons gross, officially described as the world’s most powerful motor-vessel, which was launched from the yard of Swan. Hunter and Wigham Richardson, Ltd, on July 27, will sail on her maiden Voyage in a pioneer service of the Shaw. Savill and Albion Lines from Southampton to South Africa, Australia, and New Zealand on February 17. Meanwhile joiners, fitters and other tradesmen, to the number of about 2,000, have taken possession of her, under the direction of Mr Norman Hunter, the general manager of the shipyard. Writing in “The Times,” a visitor describes an inspection of the ship as follows: Most of the decks in the public rooms were still of bare steel. This simple state did not detract at all from the interest of the inspection, since it enabled the full extent to be realised of the use made of electric welding, a system which results in perfectly flat floors, free from overlapping seams. I was told that more use has been made of electric welding than in any merchant vessel of similar size. The great games deck is sheathed with Burma teak. The adjective “great” is justified, for the deck measures 250 ft long and is nearly 87ft broad, and is unimpeded by 14 lifeboats carried high above its level. Fine though the games decks are of some of the liners built in recent years for services with the British countries oversea, the upper deck of the Dominion Monarch is said to be considerably larger than the corresponding feature of any other vessel sailing between Great Britain and Australia and New Zealand. Exceptionally an open space separates the bridge and quarters of the captain and officers from this immense deck. This arrangement means that the bridge is placed well forward and is only 137 ft from the bows. It extends beyond each side of the ship, and from the ends uninterrupted views can be had of the whole length of the ship. The builders are proud of the .proportions of a single finely tapered steel mast which has just been fitted ahead Of the bridge, though its appearance is partially obscured by a large derrick adjoining it, Capable of lifting 45 tons. The craftsmen engaged in all parts of the ship belong to many trades. There were woodworkers who were placing in position panels 'of beautiful Australian woods. One of the exceptions is the panelling of the large lounge (which evidently will be a handsome room, lightened by unusually tall bow windows), since the wood consist of well seasohfed elm that long formed the piles of Waterloo Bridge across the Thames. Plasterers were decorating the ceilings. Temporary electrical cables were everywhere. Concealed lighting is to be employed, and when in the evening lights between double windows are in use the restaurant will appear to be flooded with sunlight. A sprinkler system was installed eVen before the vessel Was launched, and this equipment has simplified the carrying out of decorative work. Blank spaces appeared in many public rooms and staterooms where, in due course, mirrors will be placed. Workmen were hammering on steel walls where incisions are to be made. In many of the staterooms square or oblong windows have replaced round portholes. Floors of staterooms were being covered with ruboleum, some of which was not dry enough to be stepped on, and bathrooms were being tiled. The design Of the foyer, through which normally the passengers will arrive in the ship, looked much as it will finally appear. From this central meeting place the dining-room, to seat 300 persons, is approached, and while waiting for companions to enter passengers will have the attractions on one side of a curved cocktail bar, and on the other of shop Windows.

The engines, consisting of four Diesel motors, partly hidden by sacking, were already in position. The walls Of the engine-room have been specially treated to restrict the passage of sound. The activity in the ship is to proceed at its present high level till the end bf the year. By then all the constructive Work should have been completed; all the machinery in the vessel will be fun; <and an army of painters and cleahers will prepare the ship for the recepiioh of all earpets, rugs, furhitUrb, and other fittings, linOit iihd plate, and stores which will be pouted into her. Many of the navigational contrivances and fire detection devices hdVe already been erected, While othefs hdve not yet been removed from large packing cases lying on the decks. These instruments and much Other equipment have come from all parts of the country, for truly shipbuilding is the greatest assembling industry in the world.