MODERN DESIGN

Otago Daily Times, Issue 26618, 14 November 1947, Page 4

MODERN DESIGN

NEW LUXURY LINER NORTH ATLANTIC TRADE LAUNCH OF THE CARONIA Designed both for luxury cruising and the North Atlantic trade, the Caronia, 34,000 tons, was launched by Princess Elizabeth on October 30 at the Clydebank ship yard of Messrs John Brown, where she was built for Cunard White Star, Ltd. She is the largest liner at present under construction in the world, and when completed she will include the latest developments in shipbuilding design. It is possible that the Caronia might visit New Zealand on a Pacific cruise. The Caronia is described as blending the massive proportions of an Atlantic liner with the grace of a yacht for cruising in tropical waters. From the peak of her curved, well-raked stem, the main deck sweeps back to a terraced bridge structure. The single mast is a tripod structure, set abaft the bridge, with no supporting rigging to encroach on deck space. External guys are also absent from the single funnel set amidships and fitting in easily with the rise of the terraced superstructure. The upper decks are terraced towards the stern, their surfaces clear of any external cowl ventilators or isolated deck houses. Sports Facilities On the sun deck there will be an open air swimming pool, overlooked by a veranda on the deck above. Here there will be a raised platform so arranged that a band can play for dancing either on the open terrace or in the adjoining veranda cafe. In addition to the glass-enclosed promenade deck, over 400 feet in length, open promenades will be provided on the sun deck, with an unobstructed space 70 feet in width abaft the bridge for sports and games. The cinema theatre, which will extend through two decks in height, will be furnished with 300 comfortable armchairs, while the deck spaces on either side will be utilised as garden lounges. Other public rooms on the promenade deck are the first class observation lounge, the cocktail bar, the writing and smoking rooms, the library, and cabin lounge. Two-class Vessel Two classes of passenger accommodation will be available—first- and cabin. The majority of first class cabins will be provided with natural lighting and ventilation, in addition to electric radiators and mechanical ventilators. Staterooms will have private bathrooms, and ice water will be on tap in addition to the normal hot and cold water. Cabin passengers will be accommodated in single and two-berth cabins.

Six single-screw Diesel launches, each with a capacity of 60 persons, have been designed for landing passengers when on cruise, in addition to their life-saving function. An additional eight Diesel lifeboats are also provided. The dimensions of the Caronia are:— Overall length, 715 feet; length between perpendiculars. 665 feet: length of promenade deck. 495 feet; breadth, 91 feet; number of decks, 9; gross tonnage, about 34,000.