THE GREATEST STEAMER.

King Country Chronicle, Volume V, Issue 317, 3 December 1910, Page 2

THE GREATEST STEAMER.

The launching of the Olympic, the world's largest vessel, at Belfast last month was an impressive'event. The huge steamer is 840 feet long and 62 feet deep, with a beam of 92 feet, and has nine steel decks. Accommodation will be provided for 5000 passengers. There will be three set 3 of engines, each driving one screw, and the total indicated horse power will be from 48,000 to 50,000. The speed to be developed is about 21 knots The main saloon of the Olympic, with a beam of 90 feet, will have an area never before attempted afloat, and in many respects the ship will resemble a great hotel One of the upper decks is to be enclosed completely to serve as a ballroom, theatre or skating rink A large swimming bath, deep enough to permit of diving is to be provided, and passengers will be able, if they so desire, to engage complete flats and travel in privacy Each flat will include a suite of rooms and a small portion of promenade deck Several dining saloons will be provided, the most unusual in design being a verandah cafe, built on one of the upper decks far istern. The cafe will be built with exposed rafters entwined with vines and the Bides will be formed of lattices, through which glimpses of the sea will be obtained. Incidentally the Olympic, when completed, will be fireproof and practically unsinkable. The vessel will cost £1,500,000 as it leaves the hands of the builders. A sister ship is under construction at Belfast, and will be launched in January. The two great steamers will not have the speed of the Mauretania, but they will be the most luxurious passenger boats afloat.