THE QUEEN MARY

Wairarapa Times-Age, 10 April 1940, Page 9

THE QUEEN MARY

INTEREST IN AUSTRALIA. Interest was aroused in Sydney shipping circles last week at the possibility that the Queen Mary might visit Australia, says the "Sydney Morning Herald.” It was stated with authority that the liner would have no difficulty in entering the Heads and anchoring in the harbour, but would not be able to berth at any wharf under present conditions. The Queen Mary is of 81.235 tons, and has a loaded mean draft of 35 feet lOi inches. She is 975 feet in length, and 118 feet broad. The largest vessel that has ever entered the port was the Empress of Britain, during Australia's 150th Anniversary celebrations. The Empress of Britain is of 42.348 tons, and drew 32 feet 9 inches. She is 733 feet in length and 97 feet wide. She berthed at Woolloomooloo. The Queen Mary would not be able to pass under the Harbour Bridge, and. with her loaded draft of nearly 3G feet, could not berth at Circular Quay, where the maximum draft, is about 34 feet, without considerable dredging. The channels into the harbour have depths exceeding 100 feet, and their minimum depths allow a

draft of about 40 feet. Before the Empress of Britain visited Sydney the largest vessel that had entered the port was H.M.S. Hood (41,200 tons displacement), which led the British Squadron into port in 1924. and steamed up the harbour at 12 knots. Although the whole of the Empress of Britain fitted comfortably alongside the wharf at Woolloomooloo. the Queen Mary would jut out for many feet, even if the water was deep enough. There are several berths in Wellington that can accommodate the Queen Mary.