Evening star., 1937-06-26

best traditions OF the sea have been
carried over into the aerial clipper
service. The members Of the crew
are known by the nautical titles OF
captain, first, second third and fourth
Officers. purser and steward. The
captain not only is the commander
but is the chief pilot. with the first
oficer as co-pilot. All the officers,
however, are qualified pilots and any
one Of them Is capable of flying the
ship. The second oflcer usually is
the navigator, the third is the radio
ofiicer and the fourth the engneering
oficer. All are interchangeable how
ever, being trained in all capacities.
Their uniforms are similar to
those worn by the officers OF merchant
vessels-an attractive blue with gold
service stripes and white cap. The
purser, a very busy individual. indeed,
handles all passenger tickets. baggage,
customs declarations and is respon-
sibie for the comfort OF his passengers.
He assists the steward in the serving
of meals, for which purpose they don
snappy white mess jackets with silver
buttons
Meals aboard the clippers are real
events. Since most OF the flying on
the Atlantic. Pacific and Caribbean
is done by day. with overnight stops,
luncheons usually are the only meals
served in flight. They are five-course
affairs, however-the equal of the
finest ashore or afloat.
T UNCHEONs on the Bermuda Clip
per take up good hour and
quarter OF the five and one-half hours
required for the trip. The menu will
run from mixed olives. radishes and
celery to after luncheon mints and
coffee. Soups. entrees and vegetables
come piping hot from thermos con-
tainers and the salads are chilled.
There will be a dessert and later in the
afternoon the steward will 60 through
the passenger compartments with
small cakes and French chocolates.
Fine linens. silver. glass and china are
used. There is less vibration than in
a railroad diner and, except in the
worst weather. no danger Of sloshing
coffee or soup.
Time is tolled. in nautical fashion,
on the ships bell, hung in the naviga-
tion compartment. just aft of the
large flight bridge. At about six or
seven bells Of the forenoon watch We
are apt to find the captain with two
or three OF his officers going to lunch
con In the after passenger compart-
ment, one Of the seven compartments
into which the long hull is divided.
The captain is served first, the pas
sengers dining later at their own seats
on folding tables.
No detail has been overlooked which
might make for passenger comfort.
Seats are almost oriental in their
luxury-deep, soft and perfectly de-
signed. The seat cushions are halves
OF inner-spring mattresses which 90
together to make up berths In case Of
night flying Headrests, wonderfully
soft, make thorough relaxation almost
unavoidable.
The steward can set up tables for
bridge or other games and there is
. small library aboard. He Is equipped
with such unexpected luxuries as lip
stick tissue for feminine passengers.
tissue which can be used for cleaning
spectacles or camera lenses.
AS an example Of the thoroughness
of his care for the welfare Of his
passengers. q part OF the morning
routine of the steward includes q
promenade through the passenger
compartments with bromo-seltzer,
ef1ervescent salts, bicarbonate OF soda
and the other accepted remedies for
change Of climate" or the effects Of
the farewell party the night before.
EXCEPT on landing or taking OF,
passengers are at liberty to come
and 60 through the passenger COM
partments as they please. A central
aisle connects all compartments and
serves Is 4 promenade Should all
the passengers gang up" in one part
Of the ship or should fuel consumption
or baggage loading cause q shift Of
the center OF gravity sufncient to
affect navigation. the officers have 4
center of gravity computator" which
enables them to determine at once
just where the center Of gravity has
gone and what corrections are needed.
These quiet. utterly capable Clip-
per officers are the products Of .
unique training school, developed by
Pan-American to provide = corps Of
pilot-onicers who not only would rep
resent the United States and Amer
lean aviation ah the syes of the