r.m.s.Orcades was an ocean liner serving primarily the UK – Australia – New Zealand route. She started service as a British Royal Mail Ship (RMS) carrying first and tourist class passengers. Orcades carried many migrants to Australia and New Zealand [1] and was later used as a cruise ship. "Orcades" is the Latin name[2] for the Orkney Islands.
Built at the Barrow-in-Furness yard of Vickers-Armstrong, Orcades had an identical hull and machinery to P&O's Himalaya , but differed in superstructure and interior layout. The vessel's near-sister ships were Oronsay and Orsova
In 1952 Orcades was fitted with a 'top hat' funnel extension to clear smoke from the after decks. On 7 May 1952, she ran aground in Port Philip Bay half a mile off Rosebud Pier, Victoria, Australia. She was refloated and returned to service.
During the 1956 Summer Olympics in Melbourne, Australia, Orcades served as an accommodation ship.[1]
Orcades was refitted in 1959 and 1964. In the 1964 refit, Orcades became a single-class vessel and her hull colour changed from "Orient corn" to white.
Owner:
·Orient Steam Navigation Company (Orient Line) 1948–66
·Peninsular and Oriental Steam Navigation Company (P&O) 1966–73
Port of registry:
Route:
UK – Australia via Suez, later transpacific and via Panama Canal to UK (also cruises)
Tonnage
As built: 28,164 GRT; 1959: 28,396 GRT; 1964: 28,399 GRT
Length:
709ft (216.1 m)
Beam:
90.6ft (25.0 m)
Draught:
31ft (9.4 m)
Installed power:
34,000shp
Propulsion:
Geared turbines, twin screws
Speed:
22 knots (41 km/h) service speed
Capacity:
As built, 773 1st class, 772 tourist class (1959, 631 1st class, 734 tourist class. 1964, 1,635 tourist class)
Notes:
Originally corn coloured hull; white from 1964 refit