Summary

Bookmark issued by P & O Lines in 1968 for use on the ship S.S. Oriana. It is part of a collection of 175 items of post-war ship memorabilia collected by John McKay. John began collecting shipping brochures as a boy through an interest in travel and later used some of the material in his professional capacity as a Geography and Social Studies teacher. He finally made a voyage himself in 1957-1958, to England to attend a scouting jamboree, although he ended up staying for 18 months. He remembers lots of Australians going over at that time, and references to Earls Court as 'Kangaroo Alley'.

The SS Oriana was launched by Princess Alexandra 3rd November 1959. Spent early years in mail service between Britain and Australia via Suez, with occasional cruises and circle-Pacific voyages. In 1964, she set a new world record for the journey between Auckland and Sydney, taking 45 hours and 24 minutes. Oriana was transferred to ownership of P & O who dropped the 'Orient Line' from their name in 1966, and her hull was painted white. She continued voyages until 1986 when she was bought by a Japanese company Daiwa House Sales, for use as a tourist and cultural centre at Beppu on Kyushu Island.

Physical Description

Flat double-sided bookmark. Front has gloss colour illustration of the ship, which is white with orange funnel, and green ocean. Back has information about the ship and advertisement for its cruises in blue and black text.

More Information