Clinch Valley news. [volume] (Jeffersonville, Va.) 18??-2019, 1914-07-17
STEAMSHIP VATERLAND.


The Largest Boat Afloat.
The distinction OF being the largest
ship in the world is now held by the
S. S. Vatcrland, of the Hamburg
American Line. While closely rcScmb-
ling her famous sister ship, the Imp
orator, the new liner is of even great
er dimensions and presents many
original features. The Vaterlnnd mea-
surcs $50 feet, or nearly five city
blocks in length; 100 feet in width,
and has Il tonnage of $4,000. The
leading decorators of Europe were
engaged to design and furnish her
sumptuous cabins. each of which is II
masterpiece in it's decorative style.
The construction of the S. S. Water
land was commenced in September,
l91 in the yards of Blohm a Voss at
Hamburg, and the vessel was launch
ed April 3, 1918. She was christcnod
Vatcrland by Crown Prince Rupp-
rect of Bavarin, before Il notable ga
thcring. The Valcrand is built Of the
finest Siemcns Martin steel and con
forms in every detail of her construc-
ton and equipment to the latest re-
Quircments of German, English and
American laws governing shipbuild-
ing. She is constructed with Il double
bottom, and II double skin extending
well above the waLcr-line. Her hull
is divided by stel bulkhcads, both
longitudinal and transverse, of cX-
ceptional length The hull confirms
five stcl decks, which with four super
imposed, gives her nine decks above
the water-linc. The Vaterland is cqui-
ppcd with Frahm anti-roling tanks,
which, combined with her natural sta
bility, renders her one of the stead
lest ships afloat.
An entirely new arrangement of
the public cabins has ben made pos
siblc by the unusual position of the
tunnels of the Vaterland. The fun
ncls pass through the dec ut n point
near the hull instcadof through the
center of the ship. BY removing th.9
obstruction 1t has been po5sib 4 to
have one great sa,ocn open di, ccily
into another, thus giving the slip :.
remarkable effect Of artistic spacious
ness. This vista extends from the Ritz
Carlton restaurant through the palm
garden and the gr:nd Railways TO the
main lounge or ballroom. The grand
staircase, which is one of the most at
tractive features of theVatcrland, eX-
tends through six decks This and
staircases are supplemented by three
passenger elevators in the first and
one in the second cabin, running
through six decks.
The Vaterland is manned by crew
of l,234 men. She is commanded by
n commodore, four captains and seven
officers. There are IL chief engineer,
three first engineers, and thirty-live
assistants and electricians. The boil
ers are operated by twelve chief fire
men, fifteen oilers, 1877 stokers and
1870 trimmers. The Vaterland has
eight kitchens, which are presided
over by three chefs, fifty-two cooks,
five pastry bakers, thirty-six walters
and $50 stewards. There are three
physicians and three physicians as
sistants, and one trained nurse. The
crew includes three telephone opera
tors, one stenographer and typewrit-
err, n master of the bath, n book seller,
/ cabinet maker, masseurs and gard
encr. The Vaterland has social di-
rector, as on the 1mjerator.
The Vaterland is illumined by about
$4,000 electric lights. In no other
ship, probably, is electricity so gen
orally employed. The elevators, both
passenger and freight, the hoists,
derricks, operating machinery, the
kitchens, are all operated electrically
The cabins and stateroms of the first
cabin are heated by electricity. An
abundance of fresh air is forced to
7 every part of the ship by an electric
ventilating system. The VaterlanG
carries no ventilating tunnels, common
to most ships, thus economiZing val
liable deck space.
Every conceivable prccaution has
been taken in the construction and
equipment of the Vaterand to assure
complete safety. In addition to her
water-tight bulkhead equipment, al
ready described, there are life boats
more than sufficient to accommodate
all on board. The steamer carries q
very powerful wireless apparatus
The station is attended by three ope-
rators, one of whom is always on
duty at the key. Herpowerful wire
less apparatus enables her to keep
continuously in touch with land. a
unique feature is complete fire de-
partment recruited from the fire de
partments of German cities. The elf
cheney of her equipment is assured
| by frequent drills and rigid discipline
The great size of the Vaterland has
made it possible to make her state
rooms Unusually commodious. The Va
teriand is the first ship to be bull
, with thre pasageways running length
) ways, which serve to supply every
stateroom with abundant light ;nC
fresh air, and give the ship an effec
of roomines throughout. In ever!
2 stateroom artistic bedsteads replac
' the built-in beds or berths, common
! to most ships. Each room is, besides
!, supplied with marble washstan,
and running water. Special attention