QUEEN ELIZABETH II; CAPTAIN WARWICK; VIEWS OF SHIP; CONSTRUCTION WORK; INTERIOR VIEWS.




Initials PK/V/CR/PC



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Background: THE NEW 65,000-TON CUNARD LINER QUEEN ELIZABETH II IS NEARING COMPLETION IN HER FITTING OUT BASIN IN GLASGOW AND TODAY (THURSDAY) PRESSMEN HAD AN OPPORTUNITY TO VIEW PROGRESS ON THE ULTRA-MODERN VESSEL. THE NEW LINER WILL LEAVE THE SHIPYARD ON 19 NOVEMBER TO BEGIN HER FIRST TECHNICAL TRIALS.

AFTER ADJUSTMENTS AND FINAL EXAMINATION, THE QUEEN ELIZABETH II WILL LEAVE ON EXTENDED TRIALS ON DECEMBER 10 WITH A SPECIALLY SELECTED COMPLEMENT OF "PASSENGERS" - EMPLOYEES OF CUNARD AND THEIR FAMILIES.

THE 500 "PASSENGERS" WILL ACT AS GUINEA PIGS TO TEST EVERY ASPECT OF THE SHIP FROM THE PASSENGERS' POINT OF VIEW. CABIN ACCOMMODATION WILL BE TESTED FOR COMFORT AND PUBLIC ROOMS CHECKED FOR THEIR FACILITIES.

THE SPECIAL PASSENGERS WILL BE TOLD TO LOOK WITH A VERY CRITICAL EYE AT THE SHIP'S AMENITIES AND FITTINGS WHICH AFFECT THE COMFORT OF PASSENGERS, AND REPORTS THEIR FINDINGS.

THE CREW FOR THE NEW SHIP HAS ALREADY BEEN SELECTED, UNDER THE MASTER DESIGNATE, CAPTAIN W.E. WARWICK.

A SPECIAL FEATURE OF THE QUEEN ELIZABETH II IS THE INTRODUCTION OF LABOUR-SAVING EQUIPMENT, WHICH RANGES FROM A COMPUTER DOWN TO AUTOMATIC SALAD SPIN-DRIERS. THE COMPLEX COMPUTER IS THE FIRST OF ITS KIND TO BE EMPLOYED BY A MERCHANT VESSEL, AND WILL PROVIDE IMMEDIATE INFORMATION ON MACHINERY CONTROL, WEATHER DATA AND SAFETY REQUIREMENTS.

THE QUEEN ELIZABETH II WILL BEGIN A "MINI-MAIDEN" VOYAGE ON JANUARY 10, AND HER MAIDEN WESTBOUND TRANSATLANTIC VOYAGE ON JANUARY 17.