Evening star., 1923-06-21
BELIEVE LEV|ATHAN
WILL MAKE RECORD
Ocean Speed Mark Expected
as Ship Makes Fast Time
South.
BY GEORGE c. BRIGGS.

By Wireless 10 The Star and Chicago Daily
News. Copyright. 1923.
ON BOARD S. s. LEyIATHAN, June
21.-Officers of the Leviath were
confident that the great vessel would
bring the ocean speed record to the
United States as a result of the TWEEN
evenhour maximum speed test
which began at noon today. The
speed Of the vessel has been raised
steadily, with no Indication of strain
ing so far.
AS result of discussions on board,
il has been revealed that merchant
marine advocates may urge the swap
ping of the former transports Aga
memnon and Mount Vernon. war
prizes, for the sister ship of the
steamship Homeric. now under
construction in Germany. This sug-
gestion was the result of enthusi-
asm over the performance of the
Leviathan SO far. The object of the
trade or the purchase Of Germany's
unfinished liner would be TO provide
companion ship to the Leviathan
and place two big liners flying the
American flag on regular fortnightly
sailings.
Two prominent men who had much
TO do with the entry Of the United
States into the business Of operating
merchant ships agreed. in conversa-
ton with the writer. that such a plan
was on foot. The project. they said.
was Influenced by the fact that the
Leviathan alone, although both splen-
did and speedy, as the tests are show
ing. is facing unequal competition as
a result of the frequent sailings of
the big British liners
The cost Of reconditioning the Aga
memnon and Mount Vernon would be
almost pTohibitive under present
prices for labor and materials, and 1t
was pointed out that Germany was
anxious to acquire several ships of
the Agamemnon type rather than a
few of larger tonnage, and was better
able commercially to recondition them.
WILL TURN HOME SOON.
Liner to Start Back Early Tomor-
row Morning.
By the Associated Press.
ON BOARD THE STEAMSHIP
LEVIATHAN. June 21.-Uncle Sans
guests on board the Leviathan break
tasted today some distance due east
of Wilmington, n. c., after a nights
run. which was satisfactory in every
way to the passengers and officers
of the giant liner.
The vessel probably will turn
around for the homeward voyage at
4 O'Clock tomorrow morning when 1t
Is expected the Island OF Abaca, "the
hole in the wall" of the Bahamas
will be reached.
The Leviathan ''is sure to be the
smoothest thing afloat." 1t was de-
clared last night by Capt Herbert
Hartley after the big liner had been
steaming along on her trial trip to
West Indian waters for more than
twenty-four hours.
Capt. Hartley. interviewed by news
paper men aboard the Leviathan has
answered. all questions frankly. To-
night he disclosed the fact that the
ship has an unlimited mascot in the
form of a black cat, which turned UP
on deck today. The creature slipped
by the guards after the Leviathan
off by the superstitious seamen. Cast
ing superstition to the sea breezes, the
crew has named the cat Levi" (the
doughboys' name for the Leviathan)
and it has been accepted as a good
omen.
Asked whether any more STOW
aways" were aboard. Capt. Hartley
said he figured there were about 500. ;"
This reference to the guests, invited
by Chairman Albert A. Lasker of the
Shipping Board, brought laughter from
the captin's listeners.