MAMMOTH LINERS

Waikato Times, Volume 119, Issue 19887, 16 May 1936, Page 16 (Supplement)

MAMMOTH LINERS

Shipping Circles Say the Queen Mary’s Sister Ship Will Be Built. Plans Already Well In Hand.

Suggestions that the Queen Mary is not to have a sister ship of similar size to herself, but that two smaller ships are to be built instead, are not believed in shipping circles. Though the Cunard-Whlte Star Company refuse to make any official statement, it Is learned on 'reliable authority that there has been no change in the directors’ policy. Sir Percy Bates, the chairman of the company, has for four years adhered to the policy of using twin giant liners capable between them of running a weekly Atlantic service. • As long ago as December, 1931, he declared: “It is the policy of the Cunard Company ultimately to replace the three large ships at present carrying on a weekly express service with two ships of sufficient size and power and no more.” Recently, when the hope was expressed that the Queen Mary would win back the Blue Riband of the Atlantic for this country, it was stated that, the Queen Mary’s size and phenomenal power had been dictated by the necessity for her to be able to keep to her schedule times in any kind of weather without discomfort to her passengers.

It Is known that plans for a sister ship are already well in hand, and both the Clyde and the Tyne believe that the Cunard-White Star Company is waiting only for the opportune time before placing the order for the second ship. This will probably not be until some experience has been gained in actual service with the Queen Mary. Tyne’s Bid for Contraot. Meanwhile both the big shipbuilding centres are making determined efforts to get the contraot when it is placed. Trade union officials from all parts of Tyneside decided at a meeting at Newcastle to inaugurate a commission to assist in getting the order for the Tyne. There is still a tremendous demand for accommodation on the Queen Mary. “This does not merely apply to her maiden and early voyages,” a Cimary-While Star official said; “but to her normaJ sailings in the more distant future. “The dearer accommodation,” ho added, “is booked lor months ahead; but we are still booking berths in tho less expensive parts of the ship.”