Communication System

A comprehensive inter-communication system with manual and automatic exchange switchboards and loud speakers is one of the numerous outstanding features included in the new 34,183-ton Cunard White Star liner Caronia. In the Caronia's modern communication system, both manual and automatic switchboards are fitted in a telephone exchange, while loud speakers are located in crew working spaces and on the docking bridge.

The manual board links 600 telephones in an extensive passenger cabin service system, and tied in with this board are six shore line connections. One hundred lines of the automatic board connect staff cabins, chart rooms, and the boiler room.

Manned by two or three operators, one telephone system is controlled from a two-section manual type switchboard, and enables passengers to obtain instant connection with an operator through any of the 600 phones distributed throughout the ship's staterooms. The operator may then answer inquiries, or connect the caller with service staff or with another passenger. Passengers may also make shore calls by means of direct junction lines when the Caronia is in port, or over a radio-telephone link when the ship is at sea.

The 100-line automatic exchange, which supplements the manual exchange, provides rapid inter-communication between members of the ship's personnel. Connections on this system can be completed automatically by dialling, leaving operators on the manual board free to service passengers’ calls. Access to the manual facilities, including shore lines, may be obtained for callers on the automatic system by means of tie-lines between the two systems.

Precision Time-Keeping…

More than 570 “slave” clocks, all controlled by an electrically wound chronometer, guarantee precision time-keeping on Cunard White Star's new 34,183 ton Caronia. Every passenger cabin on the Caronia has an electric clock, and at least one clock is fitted in all public rooms, entrances and main working spaces. The master clock is located in the wheelhouse.

The vast size and complication of the Caronia's time keeping installation has necessitated fitting of the chronometer in duplicate in a central control panel. Two sets of relays and two selector switches are so wired that should any fault occur, it could easily be isolated and repaired without affecting ship's time.

Errors in time due to longitudinal position will be quickly corrected from the control panel by means of two mechanisms set to the required number of minutes, plus or minus. They point to the required number of minutes having been set, a button is pushed and the clocks automatically correct themselves.

The Caronia's clock system is divided into three circuits, connected to 18 relay boxes. There are 70 relays in the system, each of which controls a circuit of from three to eight clocks, depending on location and type.