ATLANTIC BLUE RIBBON

Wanganui Chronicle, Volume LXXXIII, Issue 20012, 1 December 1927, Page 10

ATLANTIC BLUE RIBBON

AN AMERICAN CHALLENGE FO UR-DAY CROSSING. NEW YORK, Nov. 14. Experiments made in the Washington Navy Yard with a 20ft. model are the basis of plans to build a new Americanownpd fleet of fast passenger liners, which would reduce the Atlantic crossing to an even four days. The proposed new ships will be equipped for aeroplanes, by means of which it may be possible to make delivery of mails across the ocean in three days. In the experimental basin, it is claimed, the model proved its ability to 11 make 35 knots in wave conditions simulating a severe North Atlantic storm,” and that improvements in marine engineering would ‘‘not only enable ships to travel at a speed fifty per cent, greater than that of existing lines, but on one-half the fuel and with one-third the crew.” Experts here, while admitting that models in experimental basins furnish ' valuable data, also maintain that an actual ship must be constructed and subjected to actual Atlantic tests before the claims of the inventors can be completely demonstrated. The American Brown-Boveri Company, sponsor of the project, will make an application to the United States Shipping Board for permission to borrow, at a low rate of interest, up to sixty-six per cent, of the cost of the vessel to be constructed. But it will first be necessary to convince the Shipping Board, that the plans are prac-■ ti cable.

Mr Lawrence Wilder, former president of the American Brown-Boveri Electric Corporation, announces that the proposed company will be incorporated as the New York-London-Paris Steamship Company (Blue Ribbon Line), to operate ten 20,000-ton liners, to be constructed in American shipyards, with a sustained sea speed of 32£ knots, making the trip to England in 96 hours and to Frtnce in 101 hours. The ships would be approximately 800 ft. long and 80ft. beam, with a draught of 24ft. 9in. Associated with Mr Wilder are Mr H. B. Walker, president of the American Steamship Owners’ Corporation; Mr C. L. Bardo, president of the American Railway Executives Association, and

Mr Ernest Rigg and Mr Theodore Pharris, naval architects.

The American Shipping Board now has full control of the American fleet corporation, with chief responsibility to Congress, and any loans it might recommend would be assured of serious consideration. ,