A WINDJAMMER AS HOTEL

Hawke's Bay Herald-Tribune, Issue 50, 15 March 1937, Page 8

A WINDJAMMER AS HOTEL

Coronation Novelty in The Thames ONE HUNDRED GUESTS 1 LONDON, Feb. 2. Coronation visitors to London who want a change from dry-land hotels will be able to register at a floating luxury hotel on the Thames. This is the novel possibility held outj, j by Mr. H. K. Hales, ex-M.P., who owns tne great four-masted schooner West^ ward. At present she is lying off Southendj being got ready for her new job. Sho, will be in commission by Easter, will sail up river to her ' ' Coronation moor* ings ' ' 'in ApriL A hundred guests will be able to sleep aboard the Westward— with. hot and cold running water and a fltted wardrobe in every cabin. As many at 400 guests can be entertained on boardj The lounge is decorated in whito panelled in blue and silver silk.. There are big promenade decks for dancing and games. A Continental chef will ba in charge of the kitchens. .The manager of the floating hotel is Captain A. E. Underwood, who till the Westward is finally ready is living a "lightship" existence. He never goes ashore, his provisions are brought by motor-launch from Southend pier. The solitary deck:boyi is temporary cook, but he could offee me an excellent menu. It was:— y Soup. Kippers. Frieassee of Rabbit, and Suet pudding. "We shall' have our own hospital and dispensary, and a radio cabin thatj is really a broadcasting station in miniature and will relay broadcasts all over the vessel," he said. " There will be a service of launches to take guests to and from the shore."