Aberdeen Liner Launched.

New Zealand Graphic, Volume XLV, Issue 13, 28 September 1910, Page 5

Aberdeen Liner Launched.

Advice of the successful launching of the first of the two new Aberdeen liners has just been received, Dike most of the earlier vessels designed for this company, which has been identified for a considerable time with the Australian trade, the new steamer’s name is taken from the history of ancient Greece, and is to be known as the Themistocles. It may here be mentioned ithat Themistocles was an Athenian who ■lived some hundreds of years before the Christian Cra, and was celebrated for his statesmanship and prowess as a general, lie took part in the engagement at Salamis, ibut subsequently his popularity declined, and eventually he was forced to flee from liis native land into Asia. The new steamer has been built at the world-renowned yards of Messrs liarland land Wolff. Belfast, and is about 12,000 tons gross. Dike the majority of modern steamers, the Themistocles Is fitted with twin screws, and all the latest developments in marine construction are being employed to snake her up-to-date in every feature. Wireless telegraphy is to be installed; also submarine signalling apparatus, which is found of great convenience in waters where there are submarine signal stations for finding the position in foggy weather. Everything is being carried out to ensure a maximum of steadiness at sea. The latest appliances will be provided for the speedy and effective (handling of cargo, and there will be extensive capacity for general and refrigerated produce to meet 'the growing requirements of the trade. Brief accounts of the passenger accommodation, which is to be of a sumptuous description, have already appeared. First and third-class passengers will be carried, and many notable features conducive to their comfort will be provided. 'The bridge deck is entirely given over to saloon passengers, and here will be fitted an unprecedented number of roomy singleberth cabins, that are sure to meet with much approval. Each is to be 9ft in height, and every saloon cabin on the ship will contain a porthole. The public rooms comprise the dining saloon (which is well removed from, and on a different deck to, the cabins, so that no smell of cooking can penetrate to them), library, lounge, smoke .room and verandah cafe. A hundred saloon passengers can be carried, and the dining room has sufficient seating accommodation for the full complement to take their meals int the same time. Extensive promenade decks will be provided for passengers in both classes, -and the third class will be of a most comfortable description, the cabins and public rooms being fitted in a style in by-gone days unknown, even to those who were able to pay large sums for superior accommodation. A complete system of watertight compartments has been arranged, so that two of the compartments may be completely filled without sinking the steamer. The Themistocles will bo ready for sea 5u the course of the next few months, and It has boon arranged for her to make her maiden Homeward voyage next April, and doubtless she will attract large support, as •the above month is usually considered the height of the passeager season.