Princess Elizabeth Launches New Liner -- "Godspeed to the Caronia". Princess Elizabeth and Lt. Mountbatten wave good luck to the ship as she slides down into the water at Clydebank to-day (Thursday). ***** ton cunard-white star liner "Caronia", largest ship now building in the world, was launched at John Brown's Clydebank shipyard to-day (Thursday) by H. R. H. Princess Elizabeth, who was accompanied by her fiance, Lt. Philip Mountbatten, R. N. They were afforded a tumultuous welcome by thousands lining the route as they drove to the yard. The new vessel is 714ft long has nine decks and is to be fitted with radar. Clipper-bowed and single-funnelled the "Caronia" will form, with the "Mauretania", a second string for the two "Queens" on the North Atlantic route. October 30, 1947.