Inventions; Science; Technology -- Social aspects; Technology and civilization
The general scheme of color throughout the ship is pleasing and
harmonious. The wood for the most part is oak and mahogany. There are
over 50,000 square feet of oak in parquet flooring. All the carving
and tracing is done in the wood, no superpositions or stucco work
whatever being used to show reliefs.
The grand stairway shows the Italian renaissance style of the 16th
century; the panels are of French walnut; the carving of columns and
pilasters is of various designs but the aggregate is pleasing in effect.
The Library extends across the deck house, 33 by 56 feet; the walls
of the deck house are bowed out to form bay windows. When you first
enter the Library the effect is as though you were looking at shimmering
marble, this is owing to the lightness of the panels which are sycamore
stained in light gray. The mantelpiece is of white statuary marble.
The great swing doors which admit you, have bevelled glass panels set
in bronze casings. The chairs have mahogany frames done in light plush.
The first class lounging room is probably the most artistic as well
as the most sumptuous apartment in the ship. The panels are of beautiful
ingrained mahogany dully polished a rich brown. The white ceiling is
of simple design with boldly carved mouldings and is supported by
columns embossed in gold of exquisite workmanship. Some of the panels
are of curiously woven tapestries, the fruit of oriental looms.
Chandeliers of beautiful design in rich bronze and crystal depend from
the ceiling. The curtains, hanging with their soft folds against the
dull gold of the carved curtainboxes, are of a charming cream silk and
with their flower borders lend a tone both sumptuous and refined. The
carpet is of a slender trellis design with bluish pink roses trailing
over a pearl grey ground and forms a perfect foil to the splendid
furniture. The chairs are of polished beech covered with 18th century
brocade.
The smoking-room of the first-class is done in rich oak carving with
an inlaid border around the panels. An unusual feature in the main
part of the room is a jube passageway extending the whole length and
divided into recesses with divans and card tables. Writing tables may
be found in secluded nooks free from interruption. The windows of
unusual size, are semicircular and give a home-like appearance to the
room.
The dining saloon is in light oak with all carvings worked in the wood.
A children's nursery off the main stairway in the deck house is done
in mahogany. Enameled white panels depict the old favorite of the Four
and Twenty Blackbirds baked in a Pie.
An air of delicate refinement and rich luxury hangs about the regal
rooms. A suite consists of drawing-room, dining-room, two bedrooms,
bathroom and a private corridor. The drawing- and dining-rooms of
these suites are paneled in East India satin-wood, probably the hardest
and most durable of all timber. The bedrooms are in Georgian style
finished in white with satin hangings.
Public-domain text, read in full here on John Shaqi.
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