中國網(wǎng)站品牌欄目（頻道）
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A maverick Australian mining billionaire, Clive Palmer, plans to build the Titanic II and sail it from England to New York by the end of 2016. The replica of the ill-fated ship will be built at a Chinese shipyard. It will be powered by diesel rather than coal but will otherwise follow design plans approved by a historical research team and, like its predecessor, will have 840 rooms and nine decks. Asked whether the new ship could sink, Mr Palmer, Australia's fifth-richest person, said: "Of course it will sink if you put a hole in it." He added: "It will be designed as a modern ship with all the technology to ensure that doesn't happen. But, of course, if you are superstitious like you are, you never know what could happen." Mr Palmer said the boat will have the same dimensions as the Titanic and will replicate its design as closely as possible but will have "state of the art engineering". The only differences will be below the water line, he said, and will include a bulbous bow for greater fuel efficiency and diesel generation, plus an enlarged rudder and bow thrusters for improved manoeuvrability. "Titanic II will be the ultimate in comfort and luxury with on-board gymnasiums and swimming pools, libraries, high class restaurants and luxury cabins," he said. Mr Palmer, whose wealth is estimated at more than ￡3 billion, is well known in Australia for his outlandish whims and gestures and controversial views. He once bought Mercedes Benz cars for 55 of his top employees after a particularly good year and recently announced plans to set up a rival domestic football league because his team, Gold Coast United, was axed. Mr Palmer, a life member of the conservative National Party, coupled his announcement of his Titanic II plans with a declaration today that he intends to run against the Treasurer, Wayne Swan, in the Queensland seat of Lilley at the next election. Mr Swan said on Twitter he was "over the moon to fight in Lilley ... against Clive". (Read by Nelly Min. Nelly Min is a journalist at the China Daily Website.) (Agencies) |
特立獨(dú)行的澳大利亞礦業(yè)富豪克萊夫?帕爾默計(jì)劃出資修建“泰坦尼克2”號游輪，這艘游輪將在2016年底前從英格蘭駛往紐約。 這艘遇難船只的復(fù)制品將由中國一家造船長承建。新游輪采用柴油驅(qū)動，而不是煤炭，但仍將遵循歷史學(xué)家研究小組通過的設(shè)計(jì)方案。和當(dāng)年的泰坦尼克號一樣，新的游輪也將有840個(gè)艙室和9層甲板。 在被問到這艘新建游輪是否會沉沒時(shí)，帕爾默說：“當(dāng)然會沉，如果你在船身上打個(gè)洞的話?！迸翣柲前拇罄麃喌谖宕蟾缓?。 他補(bǔ)充說：“這艘現(xiàn)代化的船舶將采用各種技術(shù)進(jìn)行設(shè)計(jì)，以確保不會沉沒。但當(dāng)然，如果你們非常迷信，你就永遠(yuǎn)不會知道將會發(fā)生什么?！?/p> 帕爾默說，新船的尺寸基本與原型一致，并將盡可能重現(xiàn)原型的設(shè)計(jì)，但將采用“最新工程技術(shù)”。唯一的不同是在水面以下，新船將采用球鼻船首，以提高燃油效率。另外，新游輪采用柴油驅(qū)動，船舵更大，同時(shí)安裝船首推進(jìn)器，以增強(qiáng)機(jī)動性。 帕爾默說：“泰坦尼克2號將極盡舒適和奢華，配備船上健身房、游泳池、圖書室、高級餐廳和豪華艙室。” 帕爾默的財(cái)產(chǎn)據(jù)估計(jì)超過30億英鎊，他在澳大利亞以古怪的念頭、不尋常的辦事方式，以及有爭議的看法而著稱。他曾經(jīng)在效益非常好的一年年末為55名表現(xiàn)最好的員工送出奔馳汽車做獎勵。最近他還宣布將在澳大利亞國內(nèi)另外成立一個(gè)足協(xié)機(jī)構(gòu)，因?yàn)樗那蜿?duì)黃金海岸聯(lián)隊(duì)近日被澳大利亞足協(xié)取消聯(lián)賽注冊資格。 帕爾默是澳大利亞保守派國家黨的終身成員。他除了宣布建造泰坦尼克2號外，還在今天宣布有意在下屆選舉中與澳大利亞財(cái)長韋恩?斯旺爭奪昆士蘭州利利選區(qū)的席位。斯旺在推特上說，他對能在利利選區(qū)和帕爾默一決高下欣喜若狂。 相關(guān)閱讀 （中國日報(bào)網(wǎng)英語點(diǎn)津 Julie 編輯：陳丹妮） |
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Vocabulary: maverick: 想法與眾不同的，特例獨(dú)行的 state of the art: 最先進(jìn)的，最高級的 bulbous bow: 球狀船艏，球鼻首 bow thruster: 船首推進(jìn)器 outlandish: 古怪的，奇異的 over the moon: 興高采烈，欣喜若狂 |
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