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In such combination cargo and passenger vessels, this called for the greatest cubic capacity possible, and equipment for efficient loading and discharging. The latter require- ment was fully met by the installa- tion of sideports in addition to over- all hatches. The sisterships are built with three cargo decks, viz., the holds, the lower ’tween decks and the main *tween decks. The Nos. 1 & 5 lower *tween decks and the Nos. 2 and 5 main ’tween decks are equipped for the carriage of refrigerated (air- cooled) cargo. Nos. 1 & 6 lower ‘tween decks and Nos. 1, 8, 4, & 6 main ’tween decks are mechanically ventilated. The hold compartments, used principally for the carriage of such cargo as coffee, coconuts, gen- eral, etc., are neither refrigerated nor mechanically ventilated. The steel decks of the lower holds are laid over with wood, which of- fers a smooth and clean surface which is especially desirable for the carriage of coffee, sugar, and other bagged cargoes. This also eliminates the use of dunnage. In both the lewer and main ’tween decks wood- en gratings cover the steel decks These gratings allow a current of air to pass in and around the cargoes of bananas which are usually stowed in these spaces. Arrangement of Sideports The six sideport hatches on both port and starboard sides of the ves- sels give access to Nos. 1, 3, 4 & 6 mechanically ventilated cargo com- partments, and to Nos. 2 & 5 refrig- erated compartments, all on the main "tween decks. The port openings measure 8 feet x 7 feet 6 inches and have double doors, in two _ pieces, split vertically on the centerline, ar- ranged to swing outboard, one for- ward and one aft. Ports Nos. 3 & 4 give access to cargo cranes located ® C20: f-0-@:6-8 alongside the S. S. Colombia at New York, Un- loading bananas direct to rail- road Cars through side ports ® in Nos. 1 & 3 mechanically ventilated compartments on the main ‘tween decks. Two additional ports, for stores, measuring 6 feet x 4 feet are pro- vided in the main ’tween decks and upper deck amidships. These ports are of the single door type, split horizonally on the centerline, both sections opening outboard and aft. This arrangement vermits the upper half being opened during good weather, thus providing fresh air and light to the sections in way of the ports. On the upper weather deck are lo- cated the four overall hatchways, the measurements of which follow: NOo 2186 0 eae 04 INO? 2 = 24 94x A804 Noss = 200 3x se Ac0! INO: 602 182) 01 x 0M Two blind hatches serve the lower ‘tween decks and holds by way of Nes. 3 & 4 sideport hatches. Hatch No. 4, 9 feet x 8 feet, gives access to the general cargo compartment, No. 3, in the lower ’tween decks and No. 3 hold. Hatehway No. 5 serves the No. 4 lower ’tween decks and hold through two openings, each 9 feet x 8 feet. The two openings are nec- essary for stowing cargo in the No. 4 hold which is divided into port and starboard sections by the shaft tunnel through its center. Both blind hatches are located on the main ’tween decks. There are nine steel tubular cargo booms serving the weather deck hatches. Two 5-ton booms, each 46 feet long, are at No. 1, and two Looms of the same capacity and length take care of No. 2. At No. 2 hatch there is a heavy lift boom rated at 25-tons, which is 55 feet long. Nes, 5 & 6 are equipped with two 5-ton, 46-foot booms each. No. 4 blind hatch is served by one cargo arm crane, while No. 5 is equipped with two such cranes. The, blocks on all booms are fitted with roller bearings. Steel Hatch Covers The hatch cover of No. 1 hatch on the weather deck is of steel construc- tion, built in one piece and hinged up forward. The height of the coam- ing. at this hatch, as at all weather. deck hatches, is about two feet. The single section hatch cover is fitted with a small trap hatch about 24 x 24 inches. No. 2 hatch cover is also (Continued on Page 36) S. S. Colombia, designed by Theodore E. Ferris, built in 1932 by the Newport News Shipbuilding € Dry Dock Co. MARINE REVIEW—January, 1935 31