Burlington weekly free press. [volume] (Burlington, Vt.) 1866-1928, 1912-04-18
GROWTH or ATLANTIC LINERS
Big New Fleet Building for New
ID, York Service.
rivalry In sise, Equipment and Com l.
fort Enthusiastically Every Line
bringing Out Fresh Vessels
Of Increasing Cost.
(From the New york Journal Of Com
msPce.)

(From the New york journal Of Com
msrce.)
The transatlantic passenger fleet Is con-
tinuously being reinforced by q process
sion of new vessels Of the largest size.
All OF the great companies are putting
their best foot foremost In the transpor-
tation business between the two conti-
nents. From the annual reports OF the
chief companies coming to hand II will
be seen that the prosperity OF the last
season or two and the improved prospects
Of shipping have encouraged the compa-
MES to embark on n largo shipbuilding
program. The shipyards of Great Bril-
ain. Germany and France are oil fully
employed in turning out vessels Of great
or size and luxury than their predeces-
sors. Each new liner put into commits
sion seems a little better than It's predeces-
sor. The standard Of travel comfort Is
rising all the time. until 1t is difficult
to see how the elebaroation of details
in equipment and decoration as designed
for the three 9O0-foot boats ordered by the
Hamburg A mercan, the new North Ger
man Lloyd boat and the Cunards Aqui-
tania can be surpassed. The anti-rolling
device has been developed until 1t is stat
ed that under the Frahm system the
roll has been reduced from II to 8 de-
grees The swimming bath idea on board
ship has been found so popular on tne
cruising vessels that It Is likely to become
permanent feature on all the great
liners. The Imperator is to have Turk
ish and Roman bath. reproducing the
architecture and luxury Of the ancients.
while a ballroom with fully equipped
theatre stage, private suites as IN the
most exclusive hotels. the substitution OF
| beds for berths and other devices to do
away with distinction between land and
sea travel are planned, The standard of
comfort is further raised throughout the
ships for all classes.
The Imperator is expected to be launch
ed at the end of the present month. and
the Aquitania towards the end of the
year Both are expected to be put into
tho New York service In the course of
1913. The French Line, In its determine
ton to keep pace with the other transat-
lantic lines. has decided to build a larger
vessel than the France. but not of
such great speed. The France is intend
ed for the express mail service. like the
Provence. and It's cargo space will be
limited. only about 800 tons Of high-class
package freight being allowed for. AS
| she will leave Havre at noon Saturday.
she is expected to arrive here on Thurs
day afternoon. making the trip at an
average speed Of "a knots The large ship
to follow will have a steady gait Of 20
knots, and will be Of the passenger.cargo
boat type, carrying all three classes Of
passengers and big general cargo.
The French line is building the Lafay-
cite. which is a sister ship Of the sue
cessful one-class boat. the Rochambeau,
to be ready next year. and has decided
to build third. The design Of this last.
however, depend upon the shpbuildine
of the rivals In the trade.
| In the North Atlantic trade Sweden Is
entering into the field. a company hav.
ing applied for pier space here. which 4
is difficult to find under present condi-
tons The Scandinavian Line. which has
Copenhagen as It's home port, has build.
ing at Stettn a lo,0oo-ton ship. expected
to be ready next year This will carry
900 first cabin. 300 second and go third
class, and will put the direct Scandinavt.
an passenger accommodation on terms
of complete equality with the bigger
lines. Third class passengers especially
will be assigned to rooms and berths ir
a similar manner as the first and SECOND
passengers in vogue with this line:
steamers for several years. The cost o.
this steamer is to be s1.425oOO. and II:
addition to the fleet will enable the lin,
to maintain a weekly direct service be
tween New York and Scandinavia. {
speed Of II knots ensuring an eight
day voyage between New York ant
! Norway.
Star boats will take care of the trad
with the Low Countries. They will boil
be bigger than the boats they replace
The Rotterdsmm ship will have accom-
mediation for 3 COO Of all classes and vii
he ready for service In the spring Of 1914
This company. like others. Is considerinl
developments when the Panama Cana
opens. but In the opinion Of the best ship
authorities the glowing anticipation G.
new prohtbe business by this route
are hardly likely to be realized
The outlay on these new transatlantic
vessels Will run up into the millions :,
dollars During the last forty years thu
first cost has increased enormously. II
1874 15-knot steamer cost 100000, u
1850 oo-knot steamer cost S,775,0O II
1903 a 22-knot steamer cost about 81. $50. 0oo
In 1850 the Oceanic OF 2o75 knots a goot
cargo carrier. cost s35oono. and fou
years later one about the same siz,
"a 40 on. The Lusitania and Mauretanis
are believed to have cost $3.50 NO apiece
The Olympic's was put to T5ooo0o anC
the construction expense Of the Impera
tor and the Aruitanla will probably h,
not much below $3.50, ooo The profitabl,
life of these ships is about twelve years.