With
Reuben Goossens - Maritime Historian & Lecturer
P&O
Orient Line
SS
Oronsay
NEW Features –
Updated with additional pages - See the new INDEX at the bottom
of the page
A
painting of the Oronsay
RMS (later SS)
Oronsay was the second Orient Line ship built after World War II,
her earlier sister RMS Orcades was built in 1948. She was named
after 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 by
Vickers-Armstrong Ltd at Barrow-in-Furness, especially for the
Australasian service, her accommodations set a new standard, both
in first and tourist class. With the final cost of building
coming in at £4,228,000, she was considered to be the epitome of
post-war British ship-building. Her decor was by Brian O'Rourke
who was also the interior designer for what was called the
“new look” of the Orion, as well as the Orcades.
However, her exterior differed from the earlier Orcades (and the
newer SS Orsova and the last Orient Line ship ever built, the 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, accommodating both
dry and refrigerated cargoes.
Above
and below: The launching of the Oronsay
Originally
issued by Orient Line – From the author’s private
collection
See
during the fitting out process
Originally
issued by Orient Line - From the author’s private 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, during her
fitting out, on October 28, at 9 pm a fire started in the cork
insulation in the No. 2 hold and it burned for three days. The
ship developed a 20 degree list. As there was a fear of her
capsizing, a hole was cut into the side of her hull to let the
water flow out.
Oronsay
seen on fire and listing to port
From
the P&O archives
In spite of the
mishap, her completion was only delayed by only eight weeks. On
April 29 and 30, 1951, she run her speed trails on the Clyde
reaching a respectable 23.23 knots. She was officially delivered
to Orient Line at Tilbury on May 3, 1951 and she was made ready
for her maiden voyage to Australia.
RMS
Oronsay being delivered to Orient Line on May 3, 1951
From
the author’s private collection
RMS Oronsay set sail
for her maiden voyage to Australia on May 16, under the command
of Captain Shurrock and sailed via the Suez Canal, to Fremantle (Perth),
Adelaide, Melbourne, arriving in Sydney on June 18, 1951
Follow the rest of
her career after her deck by deck as built description.
SS
Oronsay Deck by Deck Description
Official
Orient Line Postcard
PLEASE
NOTE: All postcards on this page are from the author’s
private collection
First
Class
Description
of Deck layout starting from forward to aft
First Class
passenger accommodations occupied seven decks forward/amidships.
These were named Bridge, Sun, A, B, C, D, E and F decks.
Bridge Deck
The
Bridge
Sun
Deck
This was a popular
area for both games and enjoying the sun protected by a screen
located forward. This deck could only be reached by stairs port
and starboard.
A
deck
The
Arena
Forward was the
popular fully enclosed “Arena” 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.
Games
Deck
The
aft decks with the First and Tourist Class Pools in view
B
deck
The
Main Lounge
This deck had one of
the two walk around promenades. Far forward was the
Children’s Playroom and play deck, followed by the forward
Lobby and the Main Lounge. Next the Main Lobby and side
Galleries, with the Verandah Bar aft.
Verandah
Cafe
C
Deck
The forward section
was taken up by cabins, the Shop, Hairdressing Salon, with the
Tavern and pool far aft. There was also a full walk around
promenade deck.
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.
The
Flat (suite)
Outside
twin bedded cabin
E
Deck
This deck was fully
occupied by cabins, and the Main (First Class) entrance Foyer and
the Doctor’s Surgery.
Dining
Room
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).
RMS
Oronsay seen at Princess Wharf Auckland New Zealand in August
1958
Photograph
taken by Mr. Roger Eastwood
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, changing room with showers, 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.
Main
Tourist Class Lounge and Ballroom
From
a brochure
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.
Inside
twin/tree or four berth cabin
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 you have
some, I would greatly appreciate some!
SS
Oronsay at full speed
From
the author’s private collection
Specifications as
Built
Built by:
Vickers Armstrong shipyard at Barrow-in-Furness
Call Sighn:
GCNB
Tonnage:
27,632 GRT (gross registered tons) – 28,136 GRT in 1970
Length:
708ft – 216m
Beam:
93.5ft – 28.5m
Draught:
31ft - 9.4 m
Propulsion:
Parsons marine steam geared turbines - 42,500 SHP
Screws:
two
Service speed:
22 knots.
Passengers:
668 First - 883 Tourist Class – 1,400 One Class in 1972
Crew:
622
Air-conditioning:
Fitted in 1959
RMS
Oronsay and early Orient Line postcard
From
the author’s private collection
Oronsay’s
Career
Oronsay operated the
UK to Australasia service sailing via the Suez Canal. However, on
February 14, 1954 for 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.
In
San Francisco Harbour
From
the author’s private collection
On May 2, 1960,
P&O (Peninsular Orient Line) absorbed Orient Line however
Oronsay retained her traditional Orient Line corn coloured hull
for another four years, until 1964, when in April the hull was
finally painted white and she was the first of the Orient Line
ships to change livery. She departed Southampton gleaming white
on April 18, 1964.
P&O
Postcard of a gleaming white SS Oronsay
From
the author’s private collection
Postcard
of her transiting the Panama Canal after her hull was painted
white in1964
From
the author’s private collection
Above
and below: Two fine stern views of the SS Oronsay
From
the author’s private collection
SS
Orcades as seen on an Orient Line postcard
From
the author’s private collection
On January 14, 1970
Oronsay arrived in Vancouver but somehow it was said that there
was Typhoid onboard, which meant that the health authorities had
the ship quarantined and anchored out in the harbour. She
remained there until February 4 when she was cleared and was free
to depart. The outbreak was traced down to sewerage pipes that
had been wrongly installed during a recent refit. She continued
operating both Line Voyages and cruises; however from 1973 she
spent most of her time as a cruise ship.
Oronsay
and P&O liner Chusan meet up in Tenerife in the 1970’s
*Photographer
unknown – Please read special photo note at bottom of page
In 1972 Oronsay was
converted into a one class ship, like most of the fleet, now
capable of accommodating 1,400 passengers and she becomea
reasonable success, although it was very short lived. There is
one event that many passengers on one voyage will remember is in
March/April 1973 when Rock star David Bowie sailed on the Oronsay
from San Francisco to Yokohama. During the voyage he gave an
impromptu solo acoustic performance for the passengers and crew.
The ship arrived in Yokohama on April 5 to great media fanfare.
David
Bowie out on deck upon arrival at Yokohama
*Photographer
unknown – Please read special photo note at bottom of page
However, she was
mostly based in Australia and by 1974 it had become obvious that
passenger numbers was in a severe decline with either superior
ships on the horizon, including the SS Oriana as well as the
foreign invasion such as Chandris Lines, Lloyd Triestino, Sitmar
Lines, Flotta Lauro and TSS Fedor Shalyapin of “Celebrity
Club Cruises’ operated by the author” as well as other
Soviet ships operated by CTC, which offered cruises at more
favourable fares.
Looking
up to the Bridge from the forward Sports Arena
Photograph
by Pam Franklin – provided by Stephen Moore
Thus, P&O
decided to sell Oronsay and sold her to Nan Feng Steel Enterprise
Company of Kaohsiung, Taiwan. She departed Southampton for Australia
on August 4, 1975 under the command of Captain Jack Lefevre,
sailing to Sydney via Hamilton (Bermuda), Port Everglades, Nassau,
Cristobal, Balboa, Acapulco, San Francisco, Honolulu, Suva and Auckland,
arriving in Sydney on September 15.
Then on September 16
she departed Sydney with some 700 passengers for her final one
way Fly/Cruise to Hong Kong, sailing via Brisbane and Manila,
arriving in Hong Kong on September 28. Her passengers had a
farewell party and left her feeling very sad for she was a fine
ship and many had sailed on her many times, but as soon as they
disembarked, workers came onboard to remove all that had not been
sold (destore) to the breakers and the ship was left looking much
like a lonely and an empty shell.
On October 7, 1975
SS Oronsay arrived in Kaohsiung Taiwan and on the 9th the
transfer papers were officially completed, and she was soon
broken up.
This fine liner that
became known as a ship with a Scottish heritage had called in
total at some 150 ports and had completed 64 world (line) voyages
and 37 cruises and that in her 25 years of operation. But with
her disposal, the sad fact was, that in a little over three years
P&O had disposed of six fine liners; these being the Iberia,
Orcades, Chusan, Orsova, Himalaya, and the now the Oronsay. That
left P&O with just three ships for the Australian trade, the Arcadia,
Oriana, and Canberra.
Oronsay
seen on September 16 1975, departing Sydney for her final cruise
to Asia and then to the breakers yard in Taiwan
From
the Sydney Telegraph published the next day - 17 September –
provided by Stanley Evans
Sydney
Telegraph article and photograph – published on September 17
Provided
by Stanley Evans
Oronsay
seen departing Sydney for the very last time, bound for Hong Kong
and then Kaohsiung Taiwan
From
the author’s private collection
Photographs
and Oronsay Memorabilia
Oronsay
seen in her final dry-dock in Sydney
Photograph
sent by Peter Thurlow, but believed to be taken by Chris-Benham
A
wonderful memory of the Oronsay berthed at Circular Quay Sydney
in her latter days
From
the author’s private collection
SS
Oronsay Memorabilia
A
fine pair of First Class Silver Napkin Rings
From
the author's private collection
Here
we see the Oronsay’s original Ship Bell
Here
we see Oronsay’s original ship bell, which was originally
purchased by Mr. Brian Johnston in the USA
This
is a decorative Oronsay cigarette box
From
the author’s private collection
A
typical souvenir dish of the ship
Fron
the author’s private collection – the author has a full
set of Orient Line & P&O dishes
This
superb SS Oronsay pewter tankard is stamped on the bottom -
"Pewter" that was "Made in Sheffield, England."
Owned
and provided by George Boys
A
side view of the tankard
Owned
and provided by George Boys
Above
and below: An attractive “pearlite” handle
souvenir folding SS Oronsay knife
Provided
by Ralph-Dellor
A
silver SS Oronsay cream jar
Provided
by Jan Paulussen
Above
and below: A stainless souvenir steel SS Oronsay folding knife
Provided
by Peter Harris
A
SS Oronsay powder compact from the mis 1950’s
From
the author’s private collection
Here
is an SS Oronsay Address Book in original condition, which was
obtained in 1969
Owned
and provided by Vince Lowden
Upon
boarding this fold-up ships layout is given to passengers
Click
on the image for an enlargement
From
the author’s private collection
Oronsay
seen in Sydney in the early 70’s
From
the author’s private collection
SS
Oronsay seen in Southampton for the last time
*Photographer
unknown – Please read special photo note at bottom of page
INDEX
SS
Oronsay: “Page
One” Covers this fine ships complete history.
Rick
Danley sails on SS Oronsay’s World Voyage in 1962 –
Below is his story & photo album.
Part
One:
Across America / San Francisco to Hong Kong.
Part
Two:
Manila to Port Said.
Part
Three: Port
Said to London & Epilogue – RMS Queen Mary Trans
Atlantic crossing
Part
Four:
Voyage memorabilia, menus and other items – further items to
come online soon!
Watch
these Pathe films:
www.britishpathe.com/record.php?id=74942
This
film shows SS ORONSAY in her very early days!
www.britishpathe.com/record.php?id=74947
This
is the continuation of the film just above
I
recommend this superb BOOK …
“Orient Line
– A Fleet History”
Is
available for £23.50 plus p&p from “Ships in
Focus”
Email:
sales@shipsinfocus.co.uk
***************************************************
Also Visit our Features
on the following Orient Lines/P&O Ships
Orient
Lines: RMS Orcades – SS
Oronsay - SS
Oriana - RMS
Orion
P&O:
RMS
Strathaird - SS
Iberia - SS
Canberra
Use
the Back button on your browser or Close the Page to return to
the previous page
or go to my Main
INDEX
***********************************
Who is the Author of ssMaritime?
Commenced
in the passenger Shipping Industry in May 1960
ssMaritime.com
& ssMaritime.net
Where
the ships of the past make history & the 1914 built MV Doulos
Story
Also
visit: Cruise-Australia
and
“Save The
Classic Liners Campaign” & “Classic Ocean Voyages” pages
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. I know what it is
like, I have seen a multitude of my own photographs on other
sites, yet these individuals either refuse to provide credit or
remove them when asked, knowing full well that there is no legal
comeback when it comes to the net. However, let us show these
charlatans up and do the right thing at all times and give credit
where credit is due!
This
notice covers all pages, although, and I have done my best to
ensure that all photographs are duly credited and that this
notice is displayed on each page, that is, when a page is
updated!
ssMaritime
is owned and © Copyright by Reuben Goossens - All Rights
Reserved
