KAISER'S FLOATING PALACE.

Taranaki Daily News, 2 December 1920, Page 8

KAISER'S FLOATING PALACE.

REMARKABLE SHIP J\ SYDNEY. ~, , Sydney, Nov. Hi. Much interest ha.-s boon shown in Sydney shipping erieles in a moderate-sized ship, which has just; come on to the Australian register. She was formerly a German steamer, and, lmvin" been surrendered to the Allies, slie has come to Australia to take the place of one of the many Australian ships which were the victims of German torpedoes duriii" the war Nhe was the Wahche on the German register, but here under the Burns, Philp nag, she will be known as the Marella. She enters (lie AustralianSingapore trade forthwith. i

The Marella was undoubtedly built for a special purpose, and her (appearance gives credence to the statement that she was specially prepared to accommodate the German Kaiser and his family and staff during the triumphal voyage'round the world, which his Impcrial'Majesty', was to take after Germany won the waf J here is luxury everywhere about the steamer. All the iittings, even to I the carpet-holders, are of German silver j The music-hall surpasses everything pre-' viously seen on ships in Australia \ It is SO feet long and 30 feet wide. Con- I strucfed entirely of beautifully mark«! marble, it is so lighted that some wonderful effects are obtained. (),, the lar«e marble panels are painted beautiful pictures, three of them scenes from the coast of South-West Africa. There is an electric p,ano in the music-room, and a grand piano for the higher class music lover. The smoke-room might be m apartment from T'otsdam I'alace. Tl is big and airy, and the marble walls also bear large paintings.

Other features arc a wmubrful swimming pool on the boat deck, a gymnasium with eleclrieally.o»ntro]lc«f'appJiances, sleeping rooms lil co .those of ft high-class hotel, and ozone machines to keep the air frseh.

_ A Cuncse crew is to man this ln\- Hr . nms passenger steamer, whose tonnage is only SOOO. The men are now on thc"ir way from the East, and the steamer will sail under her new flag on l.ith December.