THE Queen of Bermuda and other historic liners will be the focus of a new exhibit at the Masterworks Centre in the Botanical Gardens in Paget.

Held in collaboration with the Bermuda Maritime Museum, the exhibit draws from the collection of both organisations and celebrates a forthcoming book, Queen of Bermuda and the Furness Bermuda Line, which is planned for general release in February.

"The Queen of Bermuda was one of the great icons of Bermuda's martime heritage," explained Maritime Museum director Dr. Edward Harris. "It's been over 30 years since she's gone, but many people who are still living worked on her, sailed on her and travelled to school on her.

"(Liners) were the main way for people to travel to the United States before we had airplane service and the Queen of Bermuda and the Ocean Monarch were the finest liners of their day. They were far better (fitted for luxury) than any of the transatlantic liners; just marvellous ships. Unfortunately, they went out of service just before cruising as we know it came into popularity."

Written by Bermudians Piers Plowman and Captain Stephen J. Card, Queen of Bermuda and the Furness Bermuda Line traces the timeless story of the world-famous liner and the company's other ships.

"Painstaking research by Plowman and Card reveals the history of Furness and its ships, their tragedies and triumphs, and their impact on Bermuda from 1919," said a Museum spokesperson. "Including many previously unpublished photographs, deck plans and memorabilia, the book is a collector's edition for aficionados of Bermuda and those fascinated by the great passenger liners of the past."

Included in the exhibit are original paintings and lithographs of the Queen of Bermuda, and original ship's items and souvenirs from the Furness Bermuda Line. The collaboration was hailed as a success by representatives from both the Museum and Masterworks.

Said Dr. Harris: "We are extremely proud of the exhibit and of the (soon-to-be-released) book. I think it's great to do these sorts of things and we are pleased to join forces with Masterworks for this exhibition celebrating the fascinating liners of yesteryear and showing their wonderful new art venue."

His sentiment was echoed by Masterworks' director Tom Butterfield and asistant director Elise Outerbridge.

"We are greatly honoured at this early stage in the development of the new Masterworks Art Centre to be able to collaborate with the Maritime Museum on this occasion," said Mr. Butterfield. "We have long felt that organisations such as the Maritime Museum were a 'natural fit' with the Masterworks mission."

Added Mrs. Outerbridge: "We're pleased that we can partner with the Maritime Museum and we hope to do a lot more partnering with other historical groups on the island because that's where we belong."

The exhibit, Queen of Bermuda & Furness Bermuda Line, opens today and will run through January 15 in the Masterworks Centre in the old Arrowroot Factory in the Botanical Gardens, Monday through Friday between 10 a.m. and 5 p.m. Admission is free. To order a first edition volume of Queen of Bermuda and the Furness Bermuda Line, please call 234-1333 ext. 104 or e-mail marmuseibl.bm