| The following text is reproduced from the Shipping World & Shipbuilder's special supplement on the Spero in October 1966. Passenger accommodation is situated on A, B and D decks. There are 199 cabins in all, ranging in six different grades from 4- and 2-berth to single berth and de luxe cabins. The last mentioned have private bathrooms and many of the other cabins are equipped with private toilets and showers. A consultant architect, Mr Charles Bosel, has been largely responsible for the design schemes of the public rooms. They comprise a restaurant, self-service cafeteria, bridge deck lounge (with reading and writing areas), boat deck lounge (with dance floor), cocktail bars in both lounges, sun lounge (with infra-red heaters for use in inclement weather), special teenagers' room and Sauna bath. The York Lounge This spacious room contains reading and writing areas, and a special 'motorists' corner' where passengers can study literature and consult maps; it has its own small library and a bar. The space is broken up to some extent by timber screening in sycamore. A mural, worked in ceramics, depicting York Minster, adds attraction to the bar area. Like the 22 ft. long abstract mural in the foyer, this has been executed by Powell Potteries. Bulkhead linings in the lounge are Arborite East Indian teak with a textured finish, and Formica 'Nubian'. An outstanding feature is the ceiling, which is partially lined with 4-in. sycamore boarding. The blue carpet has been specially designed by Firth Carpets Ltd., in collaboration with Mr Bosel. The colour scheme includes tangerine and natural colour curtaining. Chairs are by Hille Plus Group, with teak frames upholstered with Tibor 'Stratford' tweed; those in the writing area are by Olivex and Antock Lairn, and are upholstered in similar material. The bar stools are Hille polyprophalene, swivel-type, colour vermilion. Writing tables and card tables have been specially designed by the architect. The Calypso Room Like the York Lounge immediately above, this room gives a splendid view forward. Named 'Calypso' after ships of the Wilson Line, the room has its own bar, dance floor, and space for a small orchestra. Materials and colour schemes in this room are used to achieve greater contrast than in the York Lounge, thus reflecting the different character. The bulkhead linings comprise Arborite East Indian teak and Blond maple with textured finish, and Arborite in smoke blue and terra cotta. The curtains are Tinor 'Oberon'. Chairs are by Milford and Howdy, with light grey nylon covered frames, upholstered in black cirrus. Bar stools are similar to those in the York Lounge, though charcoal in colour. |
| ON BOARD THE SPERO |
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| ABOVE: An original deckplan from Spero. |
| BELOW: The Spero's restaurant. |
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| Restaurant Seating a maximum of 90 people, and located on the starboard side of the boat deck, the restaurant features one of Spero's most elegant and attractive colour schemes. The bulkheads are lined with Formica in dark rosewood, relieved by black and white panels depicting the old cities of Hull, Gotheburg and Stockholm. The specially designed Smorgasbord table is also in rosewood, as are the dumb waiters. The rosewood theme blends with the white ceiling and the red carpet of geometric pattern - designed, once again, by Firth Carpets in collaboration with the architect. The curtains are Heals' 'Verdure'. Chairs are by Antock Lairn, with satin chrome frames and upholstered in cirrus pimento. The tables have been designed by Mr Bosel. |
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| ABOVE: The Spero's cafeteria. |
| Cafeteria The cafeteria, which is immediately adjacent to the restaurant, on the port side of the boat deck, can seat 88 people. Here, Arborite and Formica bulkhead linings, in a combination of attractive colours, tone with the white ceiling and the cherry red and silverbirch floor covering. The curtains are Heals' 'Catena'. Chairs are upholstered in black cirrus, but otherwise are similar to those in the restaurant, and the specially designed tables have tops of Arborite apricot. |
| BELOW: Another view of the cafeteria, looking aft with the servery area in the background. |
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| Sun Lounge The ship has ample deck space for relaxation or deck sports. At the after end of the boat deck there is a sun lounge, which incorporates side windbreaks and a number of infra-red heaters so that passengers can sit in the open air in cold weather. The 'Hideaway' This is the name given to the sound-proofed room specially set aside for the younger set and located on D deck. Here, youngsters can enjoy themselves by listening to the latest discs from the juke box or dancing. There are vending machines for coffee, tea, soft drinks and ice cream. A feature of the room is the special montage of 'sleeves' of the latest pop discs. Sauna Bath The ship's amenities include a Sauna bath, constructed in North Pine logs and large enough to accommodate 15 'bathers' at any one time, and is available at separate times for male and femal passengers. Reception Areas The ship's reception desk and entrance hall, where passengers come on board, are on A deck, immediately below the foyer on the boat deck. The latter incorporates two duty-free shops, one for wines, spirits, cigarettes etc, and the other for general merchandise. Vehicle and freight decks Containers and trailes are loaded through a hydraulically operated stern door, provided by MacGregor. The arrangement gives a clear height of 16ft 6in and a clear width of 31ft. Cars are driven on and off the ship through three MacGregor hydraulically operated side doors. There are two on the port side and one on the starboard side and each gives a clear height of 7ft and a clear width of 10ft. Although the vessel has been specially designed for the carriage of containers, there is one hold forward for conventional or awkward units. Such items are handled by two deck cranes which have a capacity of 10 tons. |
| ABOVE & BELOW: Two views of areas not usually seen by the public: Above: the steward's mess on the Promenade Deck Below: the bridge. |
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