Orient Line SS Oronsay

ssMaritime

With Reuben Goossens

Maritime Historian

Orient Line

SS Oronsay

Official Orient Line Postcard

All postcards - author’s private collection

SS Oronsay was the second Orient Line ship built after World War II, her earlier sister SS Orcades was built in 1948. She was named after a an island off the West coast of Scotland, which also influenced her décor. To enhance her Scottish identity she had a “Targe and Broadsword” insignia located aft of her funnel and on her bow. She had the typical Orient livery of a Corn coloured hull, white superstructure and a black topped yellow.

Built especially for the Australasian service, her accommodations set a new standard, both in first and tourist class. Her decor was by Brian O'Rourke who was also the interior designer for what was called the “new look” on the Orion, and Orcades. However, her exterior differed from the earlier Orcades (and the later SS Orsova and SS Oriana) having been fitted with a thick mast set atop her Bridge. Like other passenger liners, Oronsay had considerable cargo facilities, with space for 370,000 cubic feet, both dry and refrigerated

Left: Launching – Right: Being fitting out

Originally issued by Orient Line - author’s collection

Her keel was laid down in 1949 and was launched of Friday June 30, 1950 by Mrs A. Anderson, the wife of the Companies Chairman. However, whilst her fitting out, a fire broke out in hold No. 2 inn her cork insulation. The fire lasted for three days, during which so much water was pumped into her she began to list 20 degrees. With the fear of her capsizing, a hole was cut into her side to let the water flow out. However, her completion was only delayed by only eight weeks. During her trails she reached 23.23 knots. She was delivered at Tilbury London on May 3, 1951, and set sail for her maiden voyage to Australia on May 16, under the command of Captain Shurrock. She sailed via the Suez Canal, via Fremantle (Perth), Adelaide, Melbourne, arriving in Sydney on June 18.

Follow her career after the deck description below Oronsay’s aerial photo.

Author’s collection

First Class

Description of Deck layout starting from forward to aft

First Class passenger accommodations occupied seven decks forward/amidships. These were named Sun, A, B, C, D, E and F decks.

Sun Deck

Located aft, this was a popular area for both games and enjoying the sun protected by a screen located forward. This deck could only be reaches by stairs port and starboard.

A deck

The Arena

Author’s collection

Forward was the popular fully enclosed Look-Out, which was surrounded by floor to ceiling windows. This was followed by the Arena, then the Lobby and Library. Amidships was taken up by the spacious Games deck. Located aft was a lounge and as well as the Grill Restaurant, overlooking the pool down on A deck.

Author’s collection

Games Deck

B deck

Author’s collection

This deck had one of the two walk around promenades. Forward was the Children’s Playroom and deck, followed by the forward Lobby and the Main Lounge. Next the Main Lobby and side Galleries, with the Verandah Bar aft.

Author’s collection

C Deck

The forward section was taken up by cabins, the Shop and the Tavern and pool aft.

D Deck

This deck, except for the Pursers Office was dedicated to cabins and suites, the most famous of these being The Flat. Other cabins were one and two berth cabins, most with private facilities.

Author’s collection

E Deck

This deck was fully occupied by cabins and the Main (First Class) entrance Foyer.

Author’s collection

F Deck

Forward section was occupied by cabins followed by the Main Dinning Saloon, a separate Children’s Dinning Room (port) and a small Auxiliary Dinning Room (starboard).

Tourist Class

A Deck

With First Class occupying the forward section of the ship, Tourist was located aft, sharing a number of decks A to E decks. . This deck contained the pool, sun bathing deck and sports facilities.

B Deck

Forward was occupied with two and four berth cabins, a few with private facilities. These were followed the main stairwell, and a fully covered spacious screened Verandah deck with the Upper Promenade on either side. A Bar located forward on the starboard side. Aft was the Children’s Play Room and deck.

C Deck

Forward started with the Pursers office, Surgery, Lobby and Main stairwell. This was followed by the Main Lounge and Bar as well as the shop aft. On both sides were the lower Promenade decks.

D Deck

Aft of the Galley, was the Tourist Class Dinning Room, followed by the Lobby and a very large Library. Aft of this were further cabins, most being two berths, with some having four berths. None had private facilities.

Author’s collection

E & F Decks

These two decks were fully occupied by cabins. Most of these were four berths, however there were some two and six berth cabins. None had private facilities.

Please Note: As you will have seen, I have no photos/postcards of the Tourist Class public rooms. If someone have any, I would much appreciate some!

Author’s collection

Specifications

Built by: Vickers Armstrong shipyard at Barrow-in-Furness

Tonnage: 27,632 GRT (gross registered tons) - 10,704 DW (dead weight)

Length: 708ft – 216m

Beam: 93.5ft – 28.5m

Draught: 31ft - 9.4 m

Propulsion: Parsons steam, geared turbines - 42,500 SHP

Screws: two

Service speed: 22 knots.

Passengers: 668 First - 883 Tourist Class

Crew: 622

Air-conditioning: Fitted in 1959

Oronsay’s career

Oronsay operated the UK to Australasia service sailing via the Suez Canal. However, on February 14, 1953 Oronsay began a new career as cruise ship as she departed Sydney for a South Pacific cruise.

In San Francisco Harbour

Author’s collection

On January 1, 1954, she would become the first Orient Line liner to cross the Pacific sailing to San Francisco via Auckland, Suva, Honolulu, and Vancouver. After returning to Sydney, she made two further Pacific crossings. In 1960 she transited the Panama Canal completing her first round the world voyage.

Transiting the Panama Canal after her hull was painted white in1964

Author’s collection

In 1960, P&O (Peninsular Orient Line) absorbed Orient Line, however Oronsay managed to retain her corn coloured hull until 1964, when in March/April the hull was painted white inline with other P&O ships. Her career was varied from line voyage to cruises, for this reason she was converted to a one class ship. However, with passenger loading being in decline, P&O decided to sell the Oronsay to Asian breakers.

Oronsay berthed at Circular Quay Sydney

Photographer unknown

Oronsay Memorabilia

Ships Bell on Anchor

The box shown would have been 1. For playing cards or 2. For cigarettes.

If you know can you let me know - info@ssmaritime.com

SS Oronsay departs Sydney for the last time, heading for Hong Kong

Author’s collection

On August 4, 1975, Oronsay departed Southampton for the last time, sailing via the Panama Canal for Sydney, where she arrived on September 15. The next day she departed on her final cruise sailing via Brisbane, and Manila, arriving in Hong Kong on September 28. All passengers disembarked and after a stay in Hong Kong returned to Australia by air. Oronsay headed for Kaohsiung Taiwan on October 7 and was broken up.

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

RMS Orcades - SS Canberra - SS Oriana - RMS Orion - RMS Strathaird

Read the book

“Orient Line – A Fleet History”

It is available for £23.50 plus p&p from “Ships in Focus”

email: sales@shipsinfocus.co.uk

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Photographs on ssMaritime and associated cruise sites are 1. By the author. 2. From the author’s private collection. 3. As provided by Shipping Companies and private photographers. Credit is given to all contributors. However, there are some photographs sent to us without details of the photographer/owners concerned. We would therefore appreciate if owners of these photographs would make themselves known to me, that due credit may be given.