WORLD'S BIGGEST SHIP.

Press, Volume LVIII, Issue 17418, 31 March 1922, Page 7

WORLD'S BIGGEST SHIP.

MAJESTIC LEAVES HAMBURG.

EX-GERMAN LINER NOW BRITISH.

,Sr G&ble—Pros# Ajaociiiaoji—Copyright.) (Australian and N.Z. Cabl* Aa»ociition.)

(Received March 30th, 5.5 p.m.) BERLIN, March 29

A great crowd at Hamburg witnessed the departure of the 56,000-ton steamer Majestic (formerly Bismarck) on her trial trip prior to being handed over to Britain under the terms of the Peace Treaty. Tho Elbo fairway was specially dredged for weeks; nevertheless the steamer grounded and had to await the morning tide.

Particulars were recently issued of the new White Star liner Majestic, of 56,000 tons, which is being pressed forward for completion so as to take her place next spring in that Company's mail and passenger services between Southampton. Cherbourg and New York. The Majestic was originally th.* Bismarck, and was intended by her German owners and builders to eclipse everything that had hitherto been accomplished in the direction of shipbuilding. That result she will still achieve, but she will sail under the British ensign. Not only is the Majestic by far the liggest ship in the world, but this distinction she is likely to retain for an indefinite number of years to come, as the general trend of shipbuilding is now in the direction of smaller vessels. The Majestic's length over all is 956 feet, her height from keol to boat deck is 102 feet, and her breadth is over 100 feet.

Steam will be raised by oil fuel ono of the principle economics of which is that the ship will be able to carry sufficient fuel for t.ho round trip, as against only one way with coal. The four propellers will be driven by turbines developing a maximum of 100,000 h.p., and it is intended thai- she should maintain cm average speed at sea of 23 knots.

The Majestic is essentially a passenger ship, a very small proportion only of her bulk being devoted to cargocarrying. Hence attention has been specially directed to the provision of accommodation in all three classes, which is to' mark an advance upon everything hitherto attempted. ;An important feature in the construction of the boiler casings ia that instead of being situated centrally they are placed towards the sides or the vessel, and join above the uppermost deck to form a central superstructure for the funnels. Not only does this method provide better ventilation for the boiler room, but it also permits of an architectural improvement by giving central passages to all the passenger decks, and on the promenade deck admits of a remarkable suite of public rooms unhampered by boiler casings. These public halls are the lounge, the palm court, and the restaiirf nt, and are really steel houses not only of great urea but also af extraordinary lieight. The lounge for instance, is 20 feet hign, and the palm court and restaurant have a height of 23 feet. This loftiness, however, is surpassed by that of tho dining saloon, which is the highest ever built in a ship, reaching on elevation of 31 feet.

In the ship's central area great attention has been given to the stability of the steamer as well as to immunity from danger She is specially provided with water-tißlit bulkheads and witli ii doubl© skin for a. portion of her length. The bulkheads are foaled with fireproof material. The main staircases i.re so artanged that they can be isolated in case of fire, and thus provide a means of escape to the upper dex;k. Fire warnings mav be sent by telephone from numerous places, on board. A fire alarm can be distributed throughout vhe whole ship from the bridges. No fewer-than three wireless installations are to Tw placed on board, the largest of which will be capable of maintaining permanent connexion with both Continents during the whole of the voyage. The total passenger accommodation of the Majestic will bo for about 4COO persons, and will be arranged upon eight steel decks. The swimming bath is to bo supplied with 120 tons of w arm sea-water in about 25 minutes, and there are 30 dressing-rooms for withers, with a gallery for spectators Housewives wiil be interested to learn that for the feeding of the passengers tho requirement? for one voyage will be about 2-5,000 pounds of fresh meat, 48,000 e£gs, 2G,D00 pounds of vegetables, and 31,000 pounds of milk.