A New Channel Boat
A CORRESPONDENT writes :—" Those of your readers who use the Harwich-Hook of Holland route may be interested to know that a new 4teamer, the Vienna,' has just been put intq service by the L. & N.E.R., which, I believe, is the largest cross-channel steamer, at present plying from our ports. I looked over her the other day, and she proved to be a vast improvement on her predecessors.. The new vessel, which is propelled by twin Screws, driven by two independent sets of turbines, has comfortable sleeping accommodation for raw than 550 passengers-450 first class and 104 second class. Each berth is equipped with a spring mattress and the cabins are fitted with electric reading lamps—placed in the right position—and hot and cold running water. In the first class quarters the designers have sensibly provided a number of single berth rooms, many of which have inter-communicating doors. (Why, may one ask, are not single berth cabins more often available ?) There are four large specially furnished cabins on_ the promenade deck, each having two cot beds and a private bath-room. These rooms, which indeed arc
• cabins-de-luxe,' are panelled and decorated in soft pastel shades—the woods used for the furniture being softly' shaded maple, brown antique walnut, and waxed mahogany, and the bedsteads and other appointments are of the latest and most comfortable kind. The first class restaurant and smoking room is furnished in the style of Louis XVI., and fitted with a marble mantelpiece and electric fire. The dining saloon seats fifty persons and the restaurant and smoking room over twice that number. The first class ladies' saloon—a charming room —is provided with small tables and comfortable arm chairs and settees. The floor is laid with rose pink chenille carpets —the colour of the upholstery and curtains. In the second class quarters, passengers are berthed in state rooms for two and four persons, each room having a wash basin with hot and cold water laid on. The 'Vienna's' gross tonnage is 4,218 and her service speed 21i knots. The vesselis equipped with eight lifeboats, in addition to buoyant rafts and lifebelts.
"I was told that two- other similar vessels—the 'Prague' and the 'Amsterdam' are under construction for the L. & N.E.R., and if these two ships are equal to the Vienna —as they are intended to be—the railway _ may he congratulated upon their enterprise. The decorations and equipment of the Vienna ' remind one of a modern liner in miniature, and until the Channel Tunnel becomes 'a fact, every step which is taken to add to the comfort of the Channel crossing must be welcomed. The 'Vienna certainly is a step in the right direction."
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• written by correspondents who have visited the places described. We shall be glad to answer queries arising out of the Travel articles published in our columns. Inquiries should be addressed to the Travel Manager, The SPECTATOR, 99 Gower Street, W .C.1.—Ed. SrEcTA•roa.j
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