SS Orontes
From Our Contribution
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| History | |
|---|---|
| Name | SS Orontes |
| Owner | Orient Steam Navigation Co. Ltd., Glasgow |
| Builder | Fairfield Shipbuilding & Engineering Co. Ltd., Govan |
| Yard number | 418 |
| Launched | 10 May 1902 |
| Completed | September 1902 |
| In service | 1902 |
| Out of service | 1925 |
| Fate | broken up for scrap |
| General characteristics | |
| Type | Passenger / cargo |
| Tonnage | 9,028 tons |
| Length | 513.7 ft (156.58) |
| Beam | 58.2 ft (17.7m) |
| Depth | 34.4 ft (10.49m) |
| Propulsion | twin screw |
| Speed | 18 knots (33.34 km/h) |
| Capacity | 643 passengers |
Contents
Remarks
Built for the Orient Line, and able to carry 200 first class passengers, 200 second class, and 600 third class. Used on the London - Sydney run from 1902 to 1916, and then as a troopship during WW1 on occasional charters. Taken over by the British Admiralty in 1916, but released in 1917 as her refrigerated holds were more useful transporting dairy produce and meat from Australia to England.
After the war she resumed her service to Australia from the UK until 1921 when she was laid up in the Thames for a time. Sold in 1922 to the British World Trade Expeditions Ltd, Glasgow, but re-possessed by her owners later that year. Briefly resumed service, only to be scrapped in 1926.