SHIPPING VENTURE

Dominion, Volume 28, Issue 94, 15 January 1935, Page 3

SHIPPING VENTURE

Across Atlantic For £lO “PAY-AS-YOU-EAT” SYSTEM The most revolutionary project ever attempted for popularising trans-Atlan-tic travel has been planned by a prominent group of British shipping and financial houses, says the London “Daily Express.” When the new company begins its operations it will be possible to cross the North Atlantic in a luxuriously appointed liner for £10; and have choice of meals in restaurant or grill room on the “pay-as-you-eat” system. The promoters propose buying a number of Red Star liners which, though flying the British flag, are now controlled by an American company. The ships concerned are the Belgenland (27,132 tons), Pennland (16,322 tons), Wes ternland (16,500 tons), Minnetonka (21,998 tons), and Minnewaska (21,716 tons). The capital of the new company is to be £500,000. This is guaranteed by a leading financial house and one of the leading British shipping “family” houses. Shipping Groups Named, Negotiations between Mr.- P. A. S. Franklin, the American head of International Mercantile Marine, owners of the Red Star fleet, and Major Frank Bustard, representing the English group, have reached an advanced stage. Major Bustard was formerly passenger traffic manager of the White Star Line, now merged with the Cunard Comptfhy. The promoters claim that by running these ships on modern lines and catering mainly for travellers of modest means, they will -show a profit. They quote the experience of the cabin liners

Georgic and Britannic, two of the best money-making British ships afloat. “We are out to appeal to all types of sea travellers.” was the summing up of Major Bustard. Red Star Line. It is proposed to call the company the Red Star Navigation Company Ltd., and to trade as the Red Star Line. The company proposes to lay down as soon as possible two new vessels comparable with the Georgic. These ships will be of from 28,000 to 30,000 tons each, with a speed of 22 knots. Their estimated cost is about £1.250.000 each. According to present plans, these ships should be ready for service in the spring of 1937. All the ships the new company proposes to acquire were built ■by Messrs. Harland and Wolff at Belfast. It is probable that the two new ships will also be built at Belfast. “In the proposed new ships and tile Belgenland there will be two classes—first and tourist. In the other ships there will be tourist class only,” said Major Bustard. “Our main appeal will be to the thousands of people who want to visit countries the other side of the Atlantic, but who cannot afford to pay present rates. “There is an entirely new ’market’ waiting to be served.” The provisional passage rates are:— First class £2O to £25, according to ship. Tourist class £lO to £l2, according to ship. Passengers taking meals on an “inclusive” basis will be charged first ciass £5, irrespective of ship; tourist class £2/10 to £3, according to ship. In the tourist class it will be possible .to buy table d’hote luncheon for 3/- and dinner for 4/6.