LINER IN THE MAKING

Wanganui Chronicle, Volume 83, Issue 3, 5 January 1939, Page 9

LINER IN THE MAKING

TWO THOUSAND MEN AT WORK’ THE DOMINION MONARCH 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, Limited, 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, states the London Times. Meanwhile joiners, fitters and other tradesmen, to the number of about % 2000. have taken possession of her, . under the direction of Mr. Norman Hunter, the general manager of the Mostly they wear overalls, 'Rwhich are suitable attire in a new * ship where paint and varnish are constantly being applied. In a tour of the vessel, from which I have just returned, I met, among others garbed in this way, Captain D. Aitchison, designated staff captain of the new ship, and Mr. E. C. Jones, chief officer, as well as Mr. E. Demeza, chief steward. They have been in and about the vessel for many weeks and they will remain in the neighbourhood of the Tyne until, wearing once again blue uniform and gold braid, they sail in the ship for the south of England. They will then know what lies behind the surface of the ship. In company with one of the managers of the shipping company, who went to observe progress, I boarded the vessel by a temporary gangway, which will not be the usual method of embarkation for passengers, and also passed from one deck to another by climbing temporary ladders. Only one permanent ladder was in position to-day, but the absence of the usual means of transit does not mean that the ship as a whole is merely the skeleton she was at the time of ■< launching. Some parts of the ship to-day to be in an embryonic state, while others needed, apparently, only finishing touches to be put. Electric Welding 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 overseas, 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 im- . mense 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. Wood From W’aterloo Bridge The craftsmen engaged in all partof 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 consists of well-seasoned elm mat 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 Ijw oblong windows have replaced ’ (round portholes. Floors of staterooms were being covered with ruboleum, some of which w'as 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 of the year. By then all the constructive work should have been completed; all the machihery in the vessel will be run; and an army of painters and cleaners will prepare the ship for the reception of all carpets, rugs, furniture and other fittings, linen and plate, and stores which will be poured into her. Many of the navigational contrivances and fire detection devices have already been erected, while others have not yet been removed from large packing cases lying on the decks. These instruments and much other equipment I have come from all parts of the country, for truly shipbuilding is the greatest assembling industry in the world.