OCEAN MAMMOTH.

Manawatu Herald, Volume XXXVI, Issue 1279, 1 August 1914, Page 4

OCEAN MAMMOTH.

SAFETY AND LUXURY COMBINED. THE WONDERFUL VATKRLAND. LONDON, June 21. If tlie German publicist who declared that linore will do more good in helping to an Anglo-German understanding than diplomacy was correct in his belief, then tho Mammoth German, liner Vatorland, which sailed from Southampton to New York recently, should, if size and sumptuous nppoinrsments count at all, do much to promote good feeling between English people and their “cousins” across the North Sea. The Vaterland is certainly a vessel upon which our German friends have every reason to pride themselves, for she is not only tlie biggest liner afloat, but the most perfectly-equipped veasel that is sailing the seas. This mammoth ship has a length of 950 ft, a breadth of 100 ft, and a tonnage of 58,000. Mere figures give little idea ot her size, but, roughly, the Vaterland is some 48ft longer, 2ft broader, and some 5000 tons heavier than the noxt largest vessel afloat, the Aquitania which is 116 ft longer and 9ft broader and some 15,000 tons heavier than the Mauretania, which it seems only a few month-, ago we were hailing as the biggest and fastest palaco afloat. Th© fastest eh© still remains. Bat the battle of the big ships is not at an end. Even at the present time tho owners of the Vaterland are preparing to launch a monster considerably longer, brduder, and of greater tonnage; and from the Clyde and Tyne come rumours that engineers there, are but waiting to see the Germans’ best before, laying the keel, for a famous British lino, of a ship which shall outclass in dimensions anything yet. built. Safety anti luxury are happily combined in the German leviathan, and as much ingenuity has been expended on the one as on the other. But tho outstanding feature of the liner is tho supprocsion of the oldfashioned funnels, which have taken up so much room between decks. The three gigantic funnels which you notice on approaching the ship arc nowhere to be traced when you get on board. In all (fleam vessels the funnels pass directly through the centre of the decks to tlie engine room. In the Vaterland the funnels divide at a point between the lowest passenger deck, and join again in a single tube which rises considerably above the boatdeck. Tho effect of this unique position has mads an enormous difference to the spaciousness of the interior of the ship, and permits of planning on first-class hotel lines. ’Die din-ing-room, for instance, is the largest constructed on any ship. It is 135 ft long and 100 ft wide, and 30ft high, and has accommodation for 800 persons. Tlie absence of obstruction, too, has permitted of spacious corridors through the centre of every deck, and has allowed of more roomy cabins. There is an entrance hall 100 ft wide and 69ft. long—figures which give some idea of tho scope of the planning. Among other resources of this remarkable ship are:—A Pompeiian swimming pool 65ft long by 40ft wide, and Oft at jw deepest part. Turkish, electric, and other baths. A huge ballroom fitted with a stage. A winter garden decorated in marble and gold.

A Ritz-Carlton restaurant, under the management of the Ritz-Carlton Hotel, London. Two complete self-contained flats,- with a verandah, the windows of which open out to th© sea.

A chemist shop, book shop, and florist’s. A hospital with seventy bedt.

Pictures by famous painters, and statues and other art treasures hav© been freely used in the decoration of Germany's newest floating palace.

As to the arrangements made for th© safety of this floating city, it is said that, from whatever direction mishap may possibly arise, it will he found that all danger has been guarded against. The vessel has boon constructed with a double bottom, extended under the whole ship, about Bft above the bottom plating, and with a double skin running right, round, and reaching from the double bottom to the promenad© deck. .She has the largest number of water-tight compartments, both transferee and longitudinal, ever built in a ship, and is furnished with eighty-three • lifeboats, including two motor launches, capable of accommodating 300 persons more than her complement of 6360 passengers and crow. Another feature of the Vaterland is that she is equipped with a regular fire station and lire brigade, the members of which have nothing else to do except concern themselves with the precautions against fiie.

Finally, Commander Ruser, the commodore of the Hamburg-Amcrika fleet, has one acting and three reserve captains under him, and seven officers, all of whom have master mariners’ certificates. The latest nautical instruments are at the disposal of these officers, among which may be mentioned the gyroscopic compass (which eliminates the possibility of human fallibility), a searchlight of 15U.000 candle-power, and one of the most, powerful wireless installations put on any ship. In speed, the Vaterland, which is driven by quadruple turbine engines, gives an average of twenty-three and a half knots.

Such is' just the merest oplline of tire main features of the latest ocean-going palace. e *