New Liners For
p. 11 · Read in the full issue
The Pacific Completion Expected in 1940
IT has been semi-officially announced that, in September, orders will be given to British shipyards to build two liners of 22,000 tons, of 22 knots speed, to be completed in 1940 for the trans pacific run, Melbourne—Sydney—Auckland Suva Honolulu ’Frisco Vancouver.
It is expected that the very successful “Empress” model (Canadian - Pacific Line) will be followed; and that the liners will be the last word in luxury travel.
The total cost, about £3,000,000, will be covered by a loan. Britain will provide half, and Canada, Australia, and New Zealand the balance.
As over two years will elapse before the new ships are ready, it is possible that British shipping interests will assist the Union Company to deal with the growing trans-Pacific traffic before then.
The old Niagara and the ageing Aomngi may be taken off, and more suitable ves sels supplied, temporarily, by the P. and O. Line, or by the Canadian-Pacific Line.
Speedier ships would allow a call to be made at San Francisco. At present, it is omitted—the existing liners cannot spare the time.