Summary

Folded double-sided Pamphlet for Orient Line ships Canberra, Oriana, Iberia, Arcadia, Himalaya, Orcades, Oronsay and Orsova. Cover has colour illustrations of a ship with a palm tree. Inside pamphlet, black and white photographs of the ships and their interiors with colour artwork.

Canberra - Sailed from Southampton on her maiden voyage on 2nd June 1961, to Australia via the Suez canal. During the first year of operation, S.S. Canberra suffered from persistant mechanical problems and had to be temporarily withdrawn for repairs. She accommodated 548 first class passengers and 1650 tourist class passengers, and spent her first ten years in the Australian trade. She was withdrawn from this service in 1972 and refitted to carry 1500 passengers in a single class cruise ship, due to a decline in demand. Canberra briefly made cruises around America, but found her place making three month cruises around the world. In April 1982, Canberra was requisitioned by the Bristish government for use as a troup carrier during the Falklands war, and required an extensive refit for a return to passenger service in September. She was still in service in 1988.

Oriana - 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.

Iberia - Handed over to P & O on 10th September 1954. She had accommodation for 673 first class passengers and and 733 tourist class, and at first voyaged between Southampton and Australia. On 14th March 1956, Iberia collided with a tanker, and although the extensice damage was reparable, she was consigned to making occasional cruises from Southampton. Eventually, in 1959, she made her first voyage around the world. However, with persistent engine troubles, she was withdrawn from service in 1972.

Arcadia - Launched 14th May 1953, she voyaged between Britain and Australia, and also made a number of cruises from Southampton. In 1970, Arcadia had her main mast removed and was refitted to accommodate 1372 passengers in a single class. She was transferred to America for cruises between San Francisco and Mexican Ports which were so successful, she remained there until 1976. Arcadia was then sent to Sydney making cruises to the South Pacific and Asia until she was finally taken out of service in 1979.

Himalaya - She was the first liner to be built for P & O after World War II and was launched on 5th October 1948. Himalaya made a number of cruises and voyages from Britain to Sydney, and in 1959 made the first P & O crossing from America to Japan. In 1963, she was converted to a one-class liner, carrying 1416 passengers, and was used for cruises until 1974.

The Orcades was launched on 14th October 1947 and was the first new liner to reach Australia after World War II. For the first six years, the Orcades travelled only between Britain and Australia via the Suez Canal. Her first Pacific voyage was made in December 1954, and used for a number of Pacific voyages and cruises. In 1973, she was sent to ship breakers in Taiwan.

The S. S. Oronsay was launched in on 30th June 1950. She left Tilbury on her maiden voyage on 16th May 1951 and arrived in Fremantle on 8th June. 'Oronsay' was originally used for voyages between Britain and Australia, but made her first cruise on 14th February 1953. In 1960, P & O absorbed Orient Lines and the Oronsay remained in service for the company until 1975.

Orsova - the first liner to be built without masts and to have a welded hull, she was launched on 14th May 1953. She accommodated 681 first class passengers, 813 tourist class and 620 crew. Cruises were undertaken between Britain and Australia, around the Pacific, and world cruises. In 1965, Orsova's ownership transferred to P & O, and continued in service until 1974.

Physical Description

Folded double-sided pamphlet on gloss paper. Colour illustrations and black and white photographs. Text in English.

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