The Fargo forum and daily republican. [volume] (Fargo, N.D.) 1894-1957, 1917-09-28

bath throughout the. crossing. 1t is
safe to say that no troops have ever
crossed the Atlantic, or undertaken
any sea trip, under such healthfuI
Kitchen Equipment In Complete.
The problem of feeding this floating
army has been solved long In adj
vance. There are three great kitchens
aboard the Yaterland which in time
or peace prepare food for the first.
second and third cabins. Their equip
ment is marvelously complete, ena-
bling small army of cooks to pre-
pare an elaborate menu for upwards
of 5000 passengers. BY simplifying
cooks, the kitchen equipment is cRpa-
bic of supplying 10000 men with ali
the comforts of home.
The physical well being Of the men
equipped hospital. In peace time a
doctor and half a dozen assistants
and nurses preside over the ships
hospital. This equipment would
doubtless be sufficient for the needs
readily be enlarged, however, in case
sick and wounded soldiers are to be
brought back from the war front. The
sun decks. and sheltered decks are
admirably suited for convalescents.
cludes operating tables and all the
paraphernalia of the surgical wards.
The arrangement of the ships pas
sage ways and staircases again IS
especially suited for carrying its I'LL
innate capacity of 10000 men, The
stairways are in every instance un-
usually wide with easy steps so that
large number of men may pass from
one part of the ship to another with
out crowding. In most ships the
passageways are very narrow, per-
hitting but two people to pass one
another.
Not only may the soldiers be regu-
Iarly drilled and exercised while
precedented opportunities for in
structing them. The grand saloon OF
the Vaterland is the largest cabin on
any ship in the world. In peace times
hundred couples may dance at the
same time, and concerts are given to
large audiences. This saloon wills
serve admirably as a lectureroom
where the greater part of a regiment
of soldiers could be assemble
Every possible device has been pro-
vided to guard the safety of the pas
sengers in case of accident. Should
fire break out there are automatic
sprinkling devices which will flood
the endangered sections. A complete
fire ffghting apparatus with hose and
water pressure extends to the fur
thermost corners of the great ship.
The captain on the bridge has before
him variety of ingenious apparatus
for combating every possible danger.
The Vaterland has been claimed with
reason to be the safest ship in the
world in time of peace, and the same
equipment will be avail
able in war.
Suppose, the worst to happen and
German submarine were to launch a
torpedo against the former pride of
the kaiser's merchant marine. No ship
afioat, 1t is safe to say, is so we'll pre-
pared to Withstand such an attack.
The double skin would in all proba-
bility enable 1t to keep afloat Even
should both hulls be pierced, the
great system of watertight bulkheads
would enable the ship to float no mat
ter how vicious the blow. From his
position on the bridge the captain can
instantly close the great steel doors
which divide the Vaterland into many
watertight sections. 1t would be pos
sible to completely flood several of
these compartments and the great
ship would still keep afioat indefn-
itely.