The completion of the "Titanic" at Harland and Wolf's great Belfast Ship-building yard marks a further stage in the progress of British shipping and ship building, and in the development of the White Star Line. The construction of two such notable vessels as the "Olympic" and "Titanic," and the completion of the second so shortly after the first, is worthy of special comment. The "Olympic" and "Titanic," and the completion of the second so shortly after the first, is worthy of special comment. The "Olympic" and "Titanic" are essentially similar in design and construction and yet, so rapidly are we moving in these days of progress, that already the experience gained with the "Olympic" is being taken advantage of in the "Titanic." Consequently we find that there are several changes carried out in the second ship with a view to meeting even more completely than before the requirements of the service and the large number of passengers with whom this type of ship is proving so popular. All the magnificent decorations of the "Olympic" have been repeated in the "Titanic."
The first class dining saloon is an immense room decorated in a style peculiarly English, reminiscent of early Jacobean times; but instead of the sombre oak of the 16th and 17th centuries, it is painted a soft, rich white, which with the coved and richly moulded ceilings and the spacious character of the apartment, would satisfy the most aesthetic critic. The furniture is of oak designed to harmonise with its surroundings. Over 550 passengers can dine at the same time, and a feature of the room is the arrangement of recessed bays where family and other parties can dine together in semiprivacy.
The reception room adjoining the dining saloon was an introduction in the "Olympic," and not only has it been retained in the "Titanic," but increased in area in this vessel. The main characteristics of the decoration of this room are dignity and simplicity. The beautifully proportioned white paneling in the Jacobean style, delicately carved in low relief, makes a fitting background to the brilliant gathering of which it is the scene.
The restaurant is Louis XVI. In design, panelled from floor to ceiling in beautifully marked French walnut of a delicate light fawn brown colour, the mouldings and ornaments being richly carved and gilded. The room is furnished with small tables to accommodate from two to eight persons and will seat in all 140.
A large and spacious lounge, decorated in the Georgian style has been provided, serving as a reception room to the restaurant.
The Café Parisien has the appearance of a charming sun-lit verandah tastefully arranged with trellis work, and chairs in small groups surrounding convenient tables. The finish and decoration of the first class staterooms are well in keeping with the excellence of the public rooms; the staterooms are also exceptionally large and beautifully furnished. Perhaps the most striking are the suite rooms, of which there is an unusually large number, decorated in different styles and periods.
SECOND CLASS ACCOMMODATION.
The second class, passenger has been very generously provided for. The dining saloon extends the fully breadth of the vessel, and will seat over 400. The library and smoke room are also large, elegant apartments, and the second class entrances and staircases are handsomely carried out in oak. The second class staterooms, the majority of which are arranged on the well-known tandem principle, are of very superior character, and the promenades are unusually spacious, a unique feature being the enclosed promenade.
THIRD CLASS ACCOMMODATION.
The accommodation for third class passengers is also very good, the public rooms being large, airy apartments, suitably furnished, and in excellent positions; and the same applies to the third class staterooms and berths. The dining saloon smoke room, general room, and promenade all leave nothing to be desired. The vessel will accommodate in all about 3,500 passengers and crew. The "Titanic" as an instrument of commerce, like her sister vessel, the "Olympic" represents the highest skill and perfection in naval architecture and marine engineering. The success of the "Olympic," has already been so gratifying that the popularity of the "Titanic" is assured. The "Titanic" will be in charge of Commander Edward J. Smith, R.D., R.N.R., who is being transferred from the "Olympic," and his successor to the latter steamer is Commander Herbert J. Haddock.
The first class dining saloon is an immense room decorated in a style peculiarly English, reminiscent of early Jacobean times; but instead of the sombre oak of the 16th and 17th centuries, it is painted a soft, rich white, which with the coved and richly moulded ceilings and the spacious character of the apartment, would satisfy the most aesthetic critic. The furniture is of oak designed to harmonise with its surroundings. Over 550 passengers can dine at the same time, and a feature of the room is the arrangement of recessed bays where family and other parties can dine together in semiprivacy.
The reception room adjoining the dining saloon was an introduction in the "Olympic," and not only has it been retained in the "Titanic," but increased in area in this vessel. The main characteristics of the decoration of this room are dignity and simplicity. The beautifully proportioned white paneling in the Jacobean style, delicately carved in low relief, makes a fitting background to the brilliant gathering of which it is the scene.
The restaurant is Louis XVI. In design, panelled from floor to ceiling in beautifully marked French walnut of a delicate light fawn brown colour, the mouldings and ornaments being richly carved and gilded. The room is furnished with small tables to accommodate from two to eight persons and will seat in all 140.
A large and spacious lounge, decorated in the Georgian style has been provided, serving as a reception room to the restaurant.
The Café Parisien has the appearance of a charming sun-lit verandah tastefully arranged with trellis work, and chairs in small groups surrounding convenient tables. The finish and decoration of the first class staterooms are well in keeping with the excellence of the public rooms; the staterooms are also exceptionally large and beautifully furnished. Perhaps the most striking are the suite rooms, of which there is an unusually large number, decorated in different styles and periods.
SECOND CLASS ACCOMMODATION.
The second class, passenger has been very generously provided for. The dining saloon extends the fully breadth of the vessel, and will seat over 400. The library and smoke room are also large, elegant apartments, and the second class entrances and staircases are handsomely carried out in oak. The second class staterooms, the majority of which are arranged on the well-known tandem principle, are of very superior character, and the promenades are unusually spacious, a unique feature being the enclosed promenade.
THIRD CLASS ACCOMMODATION.
The accommodation for third class passengers is also very good, the public rooms being large, airy apartments, suitably furnished, and in excellent positions; and the same applies to the third class staterooms and berths. The dining saloon smoke room, general room, and promenade all leave nothing to be desired. The vessel will accommodate in all about 3,500 passengers and crew. The "Titanic" as an instrument of commerce, like her sister vessel, the "Olympic" represents the highest skill and perfection in naval architecture and marine engineering. The success of the "Olympic," has already been so gratifying that the popularity of the "Titanic" is assured. The "Titanic" will be in charge of Commander Edward J. Smith, R.D., R.N.R., who is being transferred from the "Olympic," and his successor to the latter steamer is Commander Herbert J. Haddock.
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