NEW BRITISH LINER

Evening Star, Issue 19796, 21 February 1928, Page 1

NEW BRITISH LINER

A MOTOR SHIP FOR MILLIONAIRES SPECIAL DESIGN AND EQUIPMENT The builders' trials were recently completed of the new British motor vessel Bermuda, of 20,000 tons gross, built, by Messrs Workman, Clark, and Co., Limited, at Belfast, for the J’nrness-Bcrmuda Line of Messrs Furness, Withy, and Co,, Ltd. The Bermuda has been designed, regardless of cost, for the short trip between Now York and the islands of Bermuda, during tho height of the season, lor making world cruises at other times. She is by tar the largest vessel specially constructed with a view to a ‘’ferry service, such as Itiat between New York and Bermuda, and is also the largest ship built for her owners, tier time-table provides for a departure from New York each Saturday during ilio winter at 11 a.m., and an arrival at Bermuda at H or 9 o'clock on the Monday morning. The engine power of tho vessel is such that she would be able to reach Bermuda some hours curlier, but, in the ordinary way, there would be no point in this. She will return from Bermuda, m the middle of the week. Many wealthy Americans arc accustomed during the winter to go to Bermuda, and it would not be an exaggeration to describe much ot the accommodation, which is ot a luxurious character, as specially planned for millionaires. The popularity of Bermuda among Americans is largely due to the lino climate and equable temperature throughout the year, which i anges between btldeg and Sddeg Fahrenheit. The ships frequently leave New York in intense cold and blizzards, and by the time they reach Ihe islands they are in brilliant warm sunsmne. Tho new liner has, therefore, been designed not only for sunny seas, but lias been specially strengthened to encounter the violent weather of the North Atlantic and other storm centres. Only the very finest workmanship and materials have been employed, and exceptional protection has been provided to avoid damage from Moating ice or wreckage. The vessel ba=. a double bottom, a specially shaped bilge, ami numerous watertight bulkheads subdividing Die hull into a large number of watertight compartments in excess of tho requirements of the International Convention for the Safety ot Lite at Sea. She is built throughout to comply with all the requirements of Lloyd’s Register, ol llie various shipping laws of the United Stales, and of the British Board of Trade and Factory Acts, and in accordance with the regulations of the Panama and Suez Canals. She has been strengthened by webs and stringers to resist pounding and panting 'dim to rough seas, stiffened lorward to resist floating ice, provided with deep anti-rolling chocks to obviate, as lar as piaclicable, discomfort to the passengers, possesses a carefully designed structure to resist vibration, and has special joints and fillings to prevent creaking, rattling, and o- h; r di-trilm-Img noises. POWERFUL BiLLRIN u lilt Alt. A shallow draft will enable the ship in enter nearly all ports oi call in tho world freouented by tourists, and a largo rudder and powerful steering gear have been planned for navigating the ship m narrow waters, while there are special anchor and mooring facilities for enabling her to ride m surf-disturbed bays, Strong searchlights and powerful ventilating systems have been installed. Specially large ITcsli-v.'a ter tanks for the storage of water have been fitted with a view to supplying all the demands of passengers and- new lor u third of tho way round tiie worl r --i s The- gangway facilities and aecotmm-'.b'.tii ■n.hk"> 'ha'C been auuL i .-Rigany port or Lender, The boats earned include a. large motor boat Idled with searchlight ami wireless. Much rare has been paid to the external appearance of the ship. Clean-cut lines, well-proportioned cruiser stern, greyhound bow,' well-balanced siipcr-slrnel hits, two tall masts, and two massive tunnels (expressive of her powerlnl machinery/ e-mi-nim: to give a graceful whole which m-ul not fear comparison with any liner afloat, and may he lilu-ned i-> ilnil ol an -mnn'ii'e. yacht. The ship has seven Ueo.t and aeuinin j latiou for 616 passengers in the ii’sl c Hi*, whereas the largest vessels at p cscnl in the New York-Benmula service have auommodatiori for not mure lha.ii 38U. She v ill have rooms for 75 in the second class. Tinvessel will carry a large crew, and, while the motor engines eliminate tin- need tor firemen and trimmers, she will have an especially high proporlioii ol stewards and cooks. Thu kilehens an- bn an nun-nail-handsome scale.

The large public rooms have m-> n mo.-l carefully designed, and include a stage and cinematograph Iheatre, and there is ampin provision for dancing and deck games. An enclosed dancing hall has space lor 200 couples, and open-air dancing space is available lor 400 couples, A swimming baili and gymnasium are part of the equipment. PROPELLING MACHINERY. The vessel is 547 ft long, has a Oeam of 74ft, and a moulded depth ol 4511. Her normal draft will be 241 t. On trials last week she did eighteen knots, with a large reserve ot power, /she has been built to Hie design of Messrs William lisplf-n, Son, and Swains Lon, Limited, of London. The propelling machinery consists ol lour fonreyliader Doxford opposed-piston two-stroke cycle heavy oi! engines driving four screws. Thu decorations and furnishing have been carried out by Hampton and Hons, Limited, of London, under I lie supervision of Mr A. MTnncs Gardm-i, of Glasgow. The whole of the electric equipment has been supplied bv the General Electric Company, ffim-t"!, aiid is described as the most com uvhcmr.-.'e ship’s installation which has ever been nnderlakcn bv one firm. It Inis involved (he laying of 140 miles ol wires and .moles. Many other firms have bn-n concerned in Iho production of various types of au.Mmy machinery and special device? and l:Ub-g-Tlie eoiiiract for Hie ship was pla-.l in August, 1926, and the keel was bn-1 m He middle of October of that year. '.I he, .essel lias been complcled in sixteen morni-s, as compared with a normal pjiiid of Him twenty-live io twenty-seven months for a vessel of her size and class. It is claimed that IHe short lime represents a. ‘‘record’ for the construe!ion of such a. ship, and is specially noteworthy in view of Hie coal strike, Which was in progress when the contract was placed and continued until the end of last year, thus seriously delaying the production and delivery of materials and Ihe progress of const •ruction in (he early stages.