CREW LIVES WELL ON THE PORT WELLINGTON

Wanganui Chronicle, 21 January 1947, Page 5

CREW LIVES WELL ON THE PORT WELLINGTON

(Special) ■ Wellington, Jan. 20. Wellington lias good reason to be proud of its marine namesake, the Port Line's new motorship Port Wellington, which recently was at the King's Wharf in her maiden vovage, says the ‘‘Evening Post." When the liner arrived at Wellington her commander, Captain W. G. Higgs, C.8.E., commodore of the Port Line fleet, said that as a result of many innovations he had a. happy ship. An inspection which a “Post” reporter made of the crew's accommodation and living conditions on board this week fully confirmed the statement.

The detailed attention given to the requirements and comfort of the crew in the construction of the ship is better than yet seen in New Zealand on any British ship. The men themselves say that their food and living quarters are as good as that provided for passengers on many ships and better than some.

The Port Wellington Is cut on neat lines. Of 8700 gross tons, with her grey hull, white upperworks, and red and black funnel, she is a striking vessel.

The 74 members of the ship’scompany are quartered amidships, well above the waterline. There is no overcrowding and the men have some space in which to move about in their rooms. No more than two men live in a cabin, with the exception of one which is shared by three. Every room has a comfortable leather settee, ample drawers, and a large double wardrobe. Small collapsible mahogany tables are fitted in each cabin for writing and reading purposes, and there are reading lamps alongside each bed. And the beds are not as hard as they used to be. All those on the Port Wellington have spring mattresses. The cabins are clean and neat, and a mechanical ventilation system keeps them fresh. In addition the cabins each have a porthole. The result is that the men are proud of their quarters and keep thc-m looking spick and span. One of them said: “We feel we can bring friends here if we wish, without being ashamed of letting them see where we live." Toilet and laundering facilities are equally satisfying. The bathrooms, which have tiled floors, are equipped with porcelain basins, and there is plenty of hot. water. Hot and cold water for washing clothes is also laid on. Each bathroom has two hot and cold showers, and there are even inlaid mirrors. Ten men are assigned to each bathroom, but it is very seldom that all ten men wish to use the bathroom at the same time. Separate lock-up compartments where the men may keep their personal toilet gear are fitted in the bathrooms. Another boon to the men when it comes to wash-day is that they have no worries about drying. Four steam drying rooms are provided. A popular innovation with petty officers and ratings is the caferia system of serving meals. The meals are carried to a service pantry, where each man takes an individual tray. The meals are eaten in the large and airy mess room. The men on the Port Wellington hav e good substantial meals. When the writer was on board fish patties were being prepared for the evening meal, and in another compartment a young baker was at work on next day’s bread. (Fifty pounds of bread a day are the requirements for the ship, h e told "The Post.") All cooking appliances are up-to date and would grace any house-hold-er's kitchen. A lot of the drudgery previously associated with the work of the catering staff has now disappeared. There are six huge electric baking ovens, electric ranges, and hot presses, and all the sinks and benches are cf shiny steel metal. Special steel containers in the service pantry keep tli e food hot. The deck and engineer officers dine in a large mahogany-panelled saloon, which extends right across the ship, and they are provided with oakpanelled lounge smoking rooms. A collapsible swimming bath is available on tlie deck, and a well-equipped surgery is open during certain hours each day. . The passenger accommodation is ot the very Highest standard.