OCEAN LEVIATHAN SAILS

Wanganui Chronicle, Volume 79, Issue 126, 29 May 1936, Page 7

OCEAN LEVIATHAN SAILS

UNER QUEEN MARY MAIDEN VOYAGE BEGUN VAST CROWDS WITNESS DEPARTURE PROGRESS DESCRIPTIONS L British Official Wireless. ] RUGBY, May 27. Crowds estimated at 250,000 thronged Southampton docks, rhe shores of Southampton Water, and the heights of the Isle of Wight, and pacxed the deexs of every available steamer and motor-boat, and aeroplanes flew overhead as the Cimard-White Star liner Queen Mary cast off and moved s_ow*y irom her berth at 3.32 p.m. tG.M.T.) on her maiden Atlantic voyage. The manoeuvre was carried out perfectly and in less than a quarter of an hour. men the great vessel, dwarfing all of the craft she passed, gathered way and moved rapidly towards the sea. Many busy hours preceded tire liuer’s departure, and every incident from the muster of the entire crew of 1100 and boat drill, with the launching of all of the 24 unsinkable motor lifeboats, to the arrival of many distinguished passengers and their friends, was cheered by the quayside sightseers. lu an interview Sir E. Britten, who received messages to-day from wellwishers all over the world, said that he was sure that the Queen Mary would be a great, success, and spoke of her as a link c-f goodwill between the two great English-speaking peoples. Great crowds gathered this evening at Cherbourg to welcome the Queen Mary on her first call. During the voyage it will be possible for most c-f the world to hear each day descriptions of her progress and to share, by means of wireiess, something of the life on board the great liner. Nine British Broadcasting Corporation officials and commentators from other countries are on board. Microphones will be taken everywhere in lhe ship, from the engine-room to the crow’s nest. Ou no previous occasion have such elaborate programmes been undertaken from a vessel at sea. During the five days beginning -with the departure of the liner to her arrival on June 1 at New York programmes will be diffused, not only throughout the British Empire, but over the broad casting systems of the United States and many other countries. A Press Association message states that Sir Edgar Britten inspected the crew in the morning, and the ship was searched for stowaways. The decision whether to attempt a record rests wit.h Sir E. Britten and will depend largely on the weather. SISTER SHIP LIKELY TO BE CALLED KING GEORGE, Received May 28, 8.30 p.m, LONDON, May 28. The Herald says that a sister ship, to be called King George, will be announced in a few days. ATTEMPT AT RECORD ORDERS TO THE CAPTAIN WHAT IS REQUIRED Received May 28, 8.40 p.m. CHERBOURG, May 28. Tile liner left Oherbourg" for New York at 12.35 a.m. The Daily Mail’s special correspondent aboard learns that sailing orders of the Queen Mary are to attempt a record if conditions are favourable. To break the record it will be necessary to reach Ambrose Light, New York Harbour, on Monday at 6 a.m. It is recognised, of course, that the Atlantic record is between Bldhop’s Rock, Scilly Isles, and Ambrose Light.

THE SHIP'S VOYAGE ARRIVAL AT CHERBOURG A WOMAN STOWAWAY j FILMS OVERTAKE THE LINER [By Telegraph—Precis Association—Copyright] Received May 28, 9 p.m. CHERBOURG, May 28. The Queen Mary arrived at Cherbourg four hours, twenty minutes after leaving Southampton. The liner embarked a hundred or more passengers and also received by air films depicting her departure from (Southampton and the Derby which will be shown on board to-night. The Queen Mary also took aboard £2,500,000 worth of gold bullion. A woman stowaway was found soon after leaving Southampton and was 1 landed at Cherbourg. The Queen Mary is still a gala ship —flowers everywhere. More than 2000 bouquets were delivered for passengers at Southampton. The commander received over 4000 telegrams wishing him good luck, including one from King Edward. .The ship carried 3500 bags of mail from London, 35,000 letters going through the Southampton Post Office, ' mostly envelope souvenirs owing to the special stamping. The liner left Cherbourg at 12.35 a.m.