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Orders Third Electric Liner at Newport News P. A. S. Franklin, president of the International Mercantile Marine Co., announced July 6 that a contract had been signed on July 5 with the Newport News Shipbuilding and Dry Dock Co. for the construction of a new turbo-electric liner for the Pan- ama Pacific line, operating between New York and Los Angeles and San Francisco via Havana and the Pan- ama canal. She will be the largest Santa Maria EPORTS indicate that the new R Grace twin screw motor liner SANTA MARIA gave an entirely creditable performance on her first round voyage completed on June 25. This vessel is the largest passenger motor ship flying the American flag and the first to be placed in service between the United States and South America. On her first voyage she carried a capacity passenger list both north and south bound. The trouble- some question of vibration seems to have been entirely solved by the Eng- lish engineers who designed this ves- sel. By studied attention to periods of vibration of the engine and by strengthening and _ reinforcing the and finest vessel ever built in Amer- ica and will be ready for service in December, 1929. This third addition to the Panama Pacific line, a sister ship of the “VIRGINIA, which will be launched Aug. 18, will be 612 feet long, 82 feet beam and will have a displace- ment, of 35,000 tons. Mr. Franklin said that the popular- ity of the CALIFORNIA, which has been in service only five months, has al- ready demonstrated conclusively the advisability of increasing this high class tonnage of the Panama Pacific line. He said he hoped eventually to have six deluxe turbo-electric liners operating between the Atlantic and Pacific coast ports via the canal with weekly sailings from New York and San Francisco. “Tt is an extensive program,” said Mr. Franklin, “and we need en- couragement. Much has been said in support of American shipping and the maintenance of the American flag on the sea. The opportunity is now at hand to support such patriotic senti- ment and encourage our efforts.” Completes Maiden Voyage after part of the ship vibration has been eliminated. The sailing schedule required calls at 14 ports south bound and 12 north bound not including New York. The schedule was maintained perfectly without difficulty and the vessel aver- aged a speed of 16.4 knots for the entire voyage. The ventilation of the vessel proved entirely satisfactory in staterooms, public rooms, and in all parts of the vessel. Excellent service was given by the system of electric winches in the handling of cargo. One feature is the quietness with which these winches run causing no disturb- ance to passengers while in operation. Electricity has also been applied to heating and cooking with excellent results. The laundry is also oper- ated electrically. Latest Navigating Equipment The latest navigating equipment is installed including a Sperry gyroscopic compass with course recorder and steering and bearing repeaters and a repeater for direction finding. There is also a gyro pilot of the two unit type in which the after unit electrical- ly controlled from the bridge operates the control valve of the steering gear. The ship can thus be steered auto- matically on any course desired. The SANTA MARIA now in service between New York via Panama canal to Peruvian and Chilean ports on the eR te : UP OAV OA SN Ly RRL PEK Y Twin Screw Motor Liner Santa Maria Built for Grace Line by Furness Shipbuilding Co. Ltd. 40 MARINE REVIEW—August, 1928