NEW WHITE STAR LINER: THE LAURENTIC LAUNCHED AT BELFAST, UNSURPASSED COMFORTS

Northern Whig, Friday 17 June 1927

Gliding silently and swiftly down the greased slipway, the new White Star liner Laurentic was launched from the Belfast yard of Messrs. Harland & Wolff, Ltd., yesterday morning.

A large number of visitors saw the huge hull take the water during a heavy downpour of rain. The launch took place without any fuss. There was an air of hushed interest over the sightseers as the towering mass of riveted steel plates dipped gracefully into the water. The launch successfully completed, cheers were raised by the crowd of workmen who had gathered at the end of the slipway.

The launching looked so exceedingly simple in execution that it tended to obscure the fact that the highest engineering skill was required to carry out the operation so successfully. No sooner had the Laurentic tasted sea water than she was taken into custody by four tugs and towed to the 150-ton harbour crane.

There was no breaking of a bottle of champagne on the side of the ship at the moment of moving. In fact, the Laurentic started to stir before some of the onlookers had realised it.

The honour of pulling the lever which released the ship from the slips fell to Mr. J. Gillespie, foreman shipwright.

THE TONNAGE AND SPEED

The Laurentic has a gross tonnage of 18,700, and a sea speed of 16 ½ knots, and with the Albertic, already in commission, the White Star Line will possess the two largest cabin steamers on the St. Lawrence route to Canada. The new boat will have accommodation for 1,600 passengers – cabin, tourist third cabin, and third class.

It is anticipated that she will be in commission next November, and in 1928 she will be associated with the Albertic, Calgaric, Doric, Regina, and Megantie in maintaining the Company’s weekly sailings from the Mersey to Canada. Before entering the Canadian service the Laurentic will engage in winter cruises.

It is claimed that the comforts provided for passengers on the Laurentic will be unsurpassed by any steamer of its class afloat. From the Louis Seize dining saloon, which will seat 310 passengers, the cabin passengers may pass to the lounge – a reproduction of Italian renaissance work – or to the Empire drawing-room, or to the oak-panelled smoking-room, designed on Jacobean lines. There is also a parquet floor for dancing in the lounge, and a card room.

The cabin staterooms have been designed on spacious and well-appointed lines, while amidship there will be suites, including bedroom, sitting room, and private bathroom.

DEMOCRATIC TRAVEL

Bearing in mind the growing popularity of democratic travel, which has brought Transatlantic crossing within the means of many who have hitherto been unable to entertain it as a possible holiday, the builders of the Laurentic have provided excellent accommodation for the increasing volume of tourist third-class passengers. The greatest care will be taken to provide suitable amenities for travellers in this class, and the advanced requirements of the ordinary third-class passenger will receive equal attention. In additional to the well-furnished and airy staterooms for four and six persons, there will be a number of two-berth rooms, fitted with hot and cold water, available for married couples and friends desirous of being berthed together. The numerous public rooms will include three dining-rooms, ladies’ room, lounge, general room, two smoking-rooms, and a children’s room. There will also be a barber’s saloon. Extensive promenade decks will be a feature of each class, and there are also a gymnasium and a children’s playground.

HANDLING OF CARGO

The Laurentic will be fitted with the latest appliances for the swift and efficient handling of cargo, and will have an unusually large capacity for refrigerated cargo of all kinds at varying temperatures. In addition to the wireless installation, the Laurentic will be fitted with a wireless direction finder, which is of great assistance to the navigation of the ship during foggy weather; a submarine signalling apparatus; a non-magnetic semaphore installation with a Morse lamp on top, and the latest Gyro compass.

The new ship should prove a useful factor in the increasing trade between this country and Canada, as well as a valuable addition to the White Star Line fleet.

Among those who witnesses the launching were: - Viscountess Pirrie and her sister, Miss Carlisle, Mr. W. J. Willet-Bruce (supt. engineer), and Mr. D. Galloway (resident supervisor of construction), representing the White Star Line, and directors and officials of Messrs. Harland & Wolff, Ltd.

This is the second Laurentic built by Messrs. Harland & Wolff. The first, of 14,400 tons, was sunk by a German submarine off the Donegal coast during the war, while carrying some millions in bullion to America. The salvage operations, successfully carried out by divers, made a thrilling story.

POLICEMAN AND PUBLICAN: WALK TO ALBERT CLOCK TO TEST TIME

Belfast Telegraph, Friday 24th October 1924

The story of a policeman’s visit with a Belfast publican to the Albert Clock to test the accuracy of a constable’s timepiece was told in the City Summons Court this afternoon when John Campbell, Annette Street (East Bridge Street), was prosecuted for a breach of the Licensing Act on 23rd September. The Court, while holding that the case had been proved, allowed the defendant off, cautioning him to be more careful in future.

Constable Jackson told the Bench of finding the defendant’s public-house open at 9-51 a.m. on 23rd September.

Mr. Donnelly – The case is a question of minutes.

The witness said he found four men inside. He did not see the shop being opened and he did not see the men enter it.

In reply to Mr. Donnelly, witness said he pulled out his watch when he entered and directed the defendant’s attention to the time. Mr. Campbell and he went to the Albert Clock to test the accuracy of his watch. He then discovered his watch a minute slow.

Mr. Toppin, R.M. – What time was it by the Albert Clock?

Witness – Five minutes past ten.

Mr. Donnelly – Do you remember the song, “If you want to know the time ask a policeman?” (Laughter.)

To find out more about the song, 'If You Want to Know the Time Ask a Policeman' click here.

To listen to the first verse and chorus of the song click here (from 1 minute 30 seconds).

FRENCH MODES OF THE MOMENT AT ANDERSON & MCAULEY’S

Northern Whig, Monday 23rd April 1928

Paris is undoubtedly the world’s centre of fashion, and garments created by its designers are worn by leading Society women all over the British Isles, America, and the Continent. To offer the women of Ulster a wide choice of those garments which are worn by the smartest people, a party of Anderson & McAuley Fashion Buyers earlier in the Spring visited Paris and the Riviera, and the purchases that they made have only just arrived.

The French Model Hats are marked by a subtle simplicity and a gracefulness of outline. One chic model is of natural colour Balibuntal, edged with Black and trimmed with Black Petersham ribbon. A smart steel dagger finishes the hat. Another model is of Blue Bakou Straw, with floral Crepe-de-Chine binding and new scarf trimming. This is priced at 3 ½ Gns. A Suzel Model, priced at 69/6, is of natural colour straw, with Black cire leaves and ribbon. A Pandan Hat, in the ever-popular Black, is given a lighter tone by a silver bird. This hat has the new bandeau fitting with a becoming cut-away front, and is very moderately priced at 39/6. One of the most beautiful hats is in Black Balibuntal, with gracefully rolled back, and the entire hat is fashioned on exceptionally charming lines.

The Dress Materials have been carefully chosen as indicative of Fashion’s latest trend. The new Embroidered Voiles, in a range of colourings that includes Spring Green, Coral, Beige, Lido, Gold, and Black, are admirable for Summer frocks. This fabric is 46 inches wide, so that the width of the material is the length of the dress. Price, 10/11 per yard. Another Embroidered Voile in dainty colourings is priced at 4/11 ½ per yard.

Kerachi Cloth, for frocks and jumpers, is a most effective all-Wool material, with tinsel stripe, priced at 18/11. This fabric is absolutely new and would make up charmingly. Another variation of the same material, at 16/11, is composed of broad tinsel and plain stripes. A distinctive striped material, exquisitely soft to the touch, is a camel-hair fabric, admirable for summer coats. This material in 10/11 per yard, and can be had in a range of neutral shades to tone with any frock. There is also a variety of other French goods, including silken fabrics and painted Crepe-de-Chines.

In the Kiddies’ Department there are some exceptionally dainty sets, consisting of Frocks and Bonnets to match, in embroidered muslins. Sets from 19/11. These are trimmed with contrasting shades and are washable. In 16in. and 18in. lengths only. There are also some smart little Hand-made Coats, cut in the French style and made by the famous Italian House of Lenci. Sets, complete with pretty hats to match, from 3 ½ Gns.