5 APRIL 1935, Page 6

It seems a minor tragedy that a vessel like the

'Mauretania,' which can still do the Atlantic crossing in less than six days, to the admiration of all her passengers, should today be on her way to the ship-breakers' yard. She may be superfluous on the North Atlantic service now that both the Cunard and the White Star giants are under one flag, and the 'Queen Mary' and the sister-ship are on the way. But it might have been supposed that in all-the-year-round cruising, or even as a floating hotel, the ' Mauretania ' could. have still justified herself. The answer, of course, is. cost of upkeep. A ship that size would never be full for a pleasure cruise, and half-empty ships do not pay their costs. At any rate the ' Mametania ' will not pass, like the Red Star liners, under another flag.