The Times, 26 October 1900
THE WHITE STAR LINE---The new colonial fleet of the White Star Line has
been brought a step nearer completion by the launch of the twin-screw
steamer Runic, which took place yesterday at Belfast. This steamer is
565ft. in length, 64ft. in breadth, and her gross tonnage is 12,400,
constituting her one of the largest passenger steamers afloat, and she
is the 43rd vessel launched by Messrs. Harland and Wolff for this
company. During the last four years seven steamships of the largest
type, aggregating 86,501 tons, have been launched by Messrs. Harland and
Wolff for the White Star Line. These vessels are all propelled by
double sets of engines and twin screws. In dimensions and most other
respects the Runic is similar to the Afric, Medic, and Persic, which have
already gained popularity with passengers in the South African and
Australian trades. Only one class of passengers is carried. For these
the accommodation provided comprises dining, reading, and smoking rooms,
with ample bath and lavatory arrangements. On the Runic certain further
improvements have been made. For instance, the dining-room, which will
seat over 400 passengers, has been placed on the upper deck, where there is
thorough ventilation, and by reason of its proximity to the pantry and
galley rapid service of meals is ensured. To carry out this arrangement
the poop has been connected with the bridge-house and forms a spacious
promenade 300ft. long, and the large house which serves for the
passenger entrance will be fitted with comfortable seats forming a sort
of lounge. The writing and reading room is also situated on this deck.
The extension of the poop has further allowed a number of two and four
berth deck-rooms to be provided. The Runic will be refrigerated for the
carriage of 100,000 carcases of mutton, and she will also have space for
20,000 bales of wool. It is now more than 12 months since the Medic
began the steam service of the White Star Line to South Africa and
Australia, connecting the mother country with two of her most important
colonies by an all-British route. On her maiden voyage the Medic
conveyed the first colonial contingents from Australia to South Africa.
On her present outward voyage she carries the table on which the Queen
signed the Australian Commonwealth Bill. The Runic is appointed to sail
from Liverpool for South Africa and Australia on Saturday, January 19.
The Suevic will also be launched shortly, and is expected to enter
the service in the new year.
-30-
THE WHITE STAR LINE---The new colonial fleet of the White Star Line has
been brought a step nearer completion by the launch of the twin-screw
steamer Runic, which took place yesterday at Belfast. This steamer is
565ft. in length, 64ft. in breadth, and her gross tonnage is 12,400,
constituting her one of the largest passenger steamers afloat, and she
is the 43rd vessel launched by Messrs. Harland and Wolff for this
company. During the last four years seven steamships of the largest
type, aggregating 86,501 tons, have been launched by Messrs. Harland and
Wolff for the White Star Line. These vessels are all propelled by
double sets of engines and twin screws. In dimensions and most other
respects the Runic is similar to the Afric, Medic, and Persic, which have
already gained popularity with passengers in the South African and
Australian trades. Only one class of passengers is carried. For these
the accommodation provided comprises dining, reading, and smoking rooms,
with ample bath and lavatory arrangements. On the Runic certain further
improvements have been made. For instance, the dining-room, which will
seat over 400 passengers, has been placed on the upper deck, where there is
thorough ventilation, and by reason of its proximity to the pantry and
galley rapid service of meals is ensured. To carry out this arrangement
the poop has been connected with the bridge-house and forms a spacious
promenade 300ft. long, and the large house which serves for the
passenger entrance will be fitted with comfortable seats forming a sort
of lounge. The writing and reading room is also situated on this deck.
The extension of the poop has further allowed a number of two and four
berth deck-rooms to be provided. The Runic will be refrigerated for the
carriage of 100,000 carcases of mutton, and she will also have space for
20,000 bales of wool. It is now more than 12 months since the Medic
began the steam service of the White Star Line to South Africa and
Australia, connecting the mother country with two of her most important
colonies by an all-British route. On her maiden voyage the Medic
conveyed the first colonial contingents from Australia to South Africa.
On her present outward voyage she carries the table on which the Queen
signed the Australian Commonwealth Bill. The Runic is appointed to sail
from Liverpool for South Africa and Australia on Saturday, January 19.
The Suevic will also be launched shortly, and is expected to enter
the service in the new year.
-30-
