Orient Steam Navigation Company - RMS/SS Orion - 1935 to 1963

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With Reuben Goossens

Maritime Historian, Cruise‘n’Ship Reviewer & Author

 

Orient Line

RMS Orion

William Rishton’s voyage to Australia in 1956

I wish to thank Mr. William Rishton for all the images on this page, as well as a few of his recollections of his time onboard. In 1956 William and his mother, boarded RMS Orion and set sail for Australia. At that time Orion was still a two-class liner and the Rishton's travelled in Tourist Class. Upon reaching Australia they lived in Queensland in a small township named Dinmore located just outside of Ipswich near Brisbane. However, in 1959, his mother decided to return to England and she booked her voyage on Orion once again. I am sure that all who have come to know, even have come love this fine old girl, will enjoy the content of this page, may it bring back some good old memories! Photographs and other interesting items shown on this page are from the 1956 voyage UK to Australia.

 Mrs. Rishton relaxing on the tourist Class Promenade

William has fond memories of this fine old girl, even though she had many short comings, especially if you consider later Orient Line / P&O ships. William describes his voyage as follows … “Memories of my voyage on the Orion” … “we were berthed on H Deck (known by many of us as hell deck) the washing and toilet facilities were at the end of the passage, consisting of approx eight washbasins in a row and approx four toilets. If you wanted a shower, they were on a deck above and there was always a queue” … “I remember that our steward was named Tony Dimeo, he was a Londoner. The only passenger names I can remember is Billy Milligan, a Scot, who married an Australian lady and was emigrating to Brisbane to settle there, by the way he was a brilliant magician, another name that I can remember was John Trace who settled in Adelaide, apart from that, my memory is fast disappearing just like the ocean liners of yesteryear. To end on a happy note, I wish that I could do it all again and I would not change a thing. They say that memories last longer than dreams, and in my case they certainly do.”

 

Orion is seen on the right berthed in Naples

 

The bow

 

Relaxing and playing Deck Quoits on Sun Deck 

 

Aft on Sun Deck

 

 Table Tennis and Games Room

 

Race Meeting Thursday November 8, 1956

 

 Race card

 

Race rules 

 

 Sunday 11 November, 1956

 

 Second Race Meeting Friday November 23

 

 Showtime - Note the name of Bill Milligan, he became a well know magician

in Australia, but performed under a stage name

 

Again thank you William Rishton for providing your memories with us!

 

RMS/SS Orion Index

 

RMS Orion                                   Orion - History Page.

Photo Album                             Orion - Interior and exterior photographs.

Passenger Contribution - 1        Ben Zuber heads for Australia in 1961.

Passenger Contribution - 2        Jack Abbott - a Soldiers Tale - “Orion Oracle” No 20.

Passenger Contribution - 3       Jack Abbott - a Soldiers Tale - “Orion Oracle” No 29.

Passenger Contribution - 4        William Rishton sails for Australia in 1956.

Passenger Contribution - 5        Anne Lee UK to Sydney Australia in 1958.

 

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Also Visit our Features on the following Orient Lines/P&O Ships 

Orient Lines: RMS OrcadesSS Oronsay - SS Oriana - RMS Orion

P&O: RMS Strathaird - SS Himalaya - SS Iberia - RMS Kaisar-i-Hind - SS Canberra

 

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Photographs on ssmaritime and associate pages are by the author or from the author’s private collection. In addition there are some images that have been provided by Shipping Companies and private photographers or collectors. Credit is given to all contributors. However, there are some photographs provided to me without details regarding the photographer/owner concerned. I hereby invite if owners of these images would be so kind to make them-selves known to me (my email address may be found on www.ssmaritime.com only), in order that due credit may be given.

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