View source for SS Orsova (1953)

{{Short description|Ship built in 1954 for the Orient Line}}
{{other ships|SS Orsova (1909){{!}}SS ''Orsova'' (1908)}}
{{more citations needed|date=January 2012}}
{{Use dmy dates|date=December 2017}}
{{Use British English|date=December 2017}}
{|{{Infobox ship begin}} <!-- commercial vessels -->
{{Infobox ship image
|Ship image=Orsova1966.jpg
|Ship caption=''Orsova'' in 1966
}}
{{Infobox ship career
|Hide header=
|Ship country=[[United Kingdom]]
|Ship flag={{shipboxflag|United Kingdom|civil}}
|Ship name=''SS Orsova''
|Ship namesake=[[Orșova]]
|Ship owner=*[[Orient Steam Navigation Company]] (1954–1966)
*[[P&O (company)|Peninsular & Oriental Steam Navigation Company]] (1966–1974)
|Ship operator=*1954–1960: Orient Line  
*1960–1966: P&O-Orient Lines 
*1966–1974: P&O Line
|Ship registry=[[London]], {{flag|UK|civil}}
|Ship route=(Typically) Tilbury-Naples-Port Said-Aden-Colombo-Fremantle-Melbourne-Sydney (from 1955, occasional return Sydney-US West Coast-Panama-Tilbury)
|Ship ordered=
|Ship builder=[[Vickers Armstrongs]], [[Barrow in Furness]], England
|Ship original cost=£6,500,000
|Ship yard number=1021
|Ship way number=
|Ship laid down=
|Ship launched=14 May 1953<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.poheritage.com/Upload/Mimsy/Media/factsheet/94103ORSOVA-1954pdf.pdf|title=Ship Fact Sheet - ORSOVA (1954)|website=P&O Heritage|access-date=19 November 2022}}</ref> 
|Ship sponsor=Lady Anderson
|Ship completed=March 1954
|Ship christened=14 May 1953
|Ship acquired=
|Ship maiden voyage=17 March 1954
|Ship in service=
|Ship out of service=1973
|Ship identification=*[[Maritime call sign|Call sign]]: GNDL
*Official number: 186017
*{{IMO number|5265772}}
|Ship fate=Scrapped in 1974
|Ship notes=
}}
{{Infobox ship characteristics
|Hide header=
|Header caption=
|Ship class=
|Ship type=[[Ocean liner]]
|Ship tonnage=*As built {{GRT|28,790}} (1969, 29,091 GRT)
*{{NRT|15,878}}
*{{DWT|11,940}}
|Ship displacement=
|Ship length={{convert|220.24|m|abbr=on}}
|Ship beam={{convert|27.60|m|abbr=on}}
|Ship height=
|Ship draught=
|Ship draft={{convert|9.433|m|abbr=on}}
|Ship depth={{convert|12.19|m|abbr=on}}
|Ship decks=
|Ship deck clearance=
|Ship ramps=
|Ship ice class=
|Ship sail plan=
|Ship power=42,500shp
|Ship propulsion=reduction-geared turbine, twin screws
|Ship speed=*{{convert|22|kn}} (service)
*{{convert|26|kn}} (max. trials)
|Ship capacity=681 1st class, 813 tourist class
|Ship crew=620
|Ship notes=
}}
|}
[[File:SS Orsova of the Orient Line viewed from Golden Gate Bridge in 1955.jpg|thumb|The ''Orsova'' in 1955, when her hull was mostly golden ochre in colour]]
'''SS ''Orsova''''', was a British [[ocean liner]], built by [[Vickers Armstrong]] in [[Barrow-in-Furness]], [[England]], for the [[Orient Steam Navigation Company]] (Orient Line) for their [[Great Britain]]-to-[[Australia]] services via the [[Suez Canal]]. She was the final development of the 28,000 ton class which began with the [[SS Orcades (1947)|SS ''Orcades'']] of 1948 and continued with the [[SS Oronsay (1951)|SS ''Oronsay'']] of 1951. In 1960, in conjunction with the introduction of the new larger and faster ''[[SS Oriana (1959)|Oriana]]'' and ''[[SS Canberra|Canberra]]'', the fleets of Orient (which was majority owned by P&O) and P&O were combined as P&O-Orient Lines, although the Orient ships retained their corn-coloured hulls and sailed under their own house flag. In 1966, P&O acquired the balance of the Orient shares and the Orient Line was discontinued, with ''Orsova'' and her fleet mates being transferred to the ownership of the [[P&O (company)|Peninsular & Oriental Steam Navigation Company]] (P&O), painted white and under the P&O houseflag.

==Description==
The ship was named after [[Orșova]], which is a port city on the [[Danube]] in southwestern Romania's [[Mehedinți County]]. It is situated just above the [[Iron Gate (Danube)|Iron Gates]], at the point where the [[Cerna River (Danube)|Cerna River]] meets the Danube. ''Orsova'''s bow featured the Iron Gates as a figurehead. This section of the bow opened inwards to reveal a powerful searchlight, used for navigating the Suez Canal. The Iron Gate symbol also featured on the forward bulkhead of the First Class Midships Arena Games deck.

She had a [[gross register tonnage]] of {{GRT|28790|link=off}} and a {{convert|30|ft|adj=on}} draft. Length: {{convert|220|m}}. Breadth: {{convert|28|m}}. Cruising speed: {{convert|22|kn}}. Maximum speed: {{convert|26|kn}}. Propulsion: twin screw, double reduction turbine.  ''Orsova'' had no masts. Her funnel was capped with a distinctive 'Welsh bonnet' flue extension. She was built with an all-welded hull, the first passenger liner to be so constructed,<ref>{{cite book |first=Leslie M. |last=Shore |title=Vickers' Master Shipbuilder: Sir Leonard Redshaw |publisher=Black Dwarf Lightmoor |year=2011 |isbn=978-1-903599-17-4}}</ref> and her bulkhead and wall linings were plastic-clad.

''Orsova'' had First and Tourist Class sections with separate dining rooms either side of the Galley, and was among the first ocean liners to be fitted with air-conditioning.  This was installed in the more expensive First-Class cabins, and in the First-Class dining room and lounge.  The thermostats in the public rooms, even as the ship crossed the Equator, were kept at 65 deg. F. A tragic side effect of this was that three of the First-Class stewards, running back and forth between the frigid dining room and the un-air-conditioned galley succumbed to pneumonia and were buried at sea.
Radio [[Maritime call sign|Call sign]]: GNDL (Golf November Delta Lima) with sub-contracted Marconi radio operators.

Ship's Complement:
All Officers were British.
Deck and Engine Room crew were British.
Purser's Dept (Cabin Stewards, Restaurant staff, Galley, Laundry, etc.) were a combination of British and Goanese.

==History==
The ''Orsova'' departed on its maiden voyage from [[Port of Tilbury|Tilbury]] 17 March 1954, with [[Port Jackson|Sydney]] as its main destination. The following month, on its return voyage from Sydney to Tilbury, it became stuck against the bank in the Suez Canal. This was attributed to the combination of a strong crosswind and a pilot unfamiliar with the vessel. Sixty or so local males were recruited on the windward bank of the canal to pull the ship off the leeward bank, using one of the ship's mooring lines, so that it could once again make way.  This operation took several hours.  Meanwhile, a group of passengers who had disembarked at Port Suez to take a bus tour, and who were on their way to Port Said to rejoin the ship, were left stranded when it was decided, in order to stay on schedule, not to dock at [[Port Said]].
They were subsequently flown to [[Naples]], ''Orsova's'' next port of call.<ref>Ovation for Orsova ''[[Ships Monthly]]'' March 2020 pages 37-41</ref>

On 24 May 1956, ''Orsova'' ran aground off [[Port Phillip Bay]], [[Melbourne]], for twelve hours. In the 1960s, ''Orsova'' carried many thousands of emigrants from Greece and Italy to Australia.

''Orsova'' was transferred to sister company [[P&O (company)|P&O]] in 1966.  It then started service on a new but relatively short-lived round-the-world route based at [[Port of Southampton|Southampton]]. The normal outward leg included Bermuda, Port Everglades, Panama, Acapulco, Los Angeles, San Francisco, Vancouver, Hawaii, Fiji, Auckland, and Sydney.  Then it would either cruise from Sydney for six weeks or round-the-Pacific Sydney-Singapore-Hong Kong-Kobe-Yokohama-Hawaii-Vancouver-San Francisco-Los Angeles-Hawaii-Fiji-Auckland-Sydney.  The home leg operated Sydney-Brisbane-Singapore-Penang-Colombo (with Goan crew change) Durban-Port Elizabeth-Cape Town-Madeira-Southampton.

Meanwhile, also in 1966, the [[Gulf Oil Corporation]] had identified [[Whiddy Island]] in [[Bantry Bay]], [[Republic of Ireland|Ireland]], as the most suitable site for its new oil terminal. Construction started in 1967 and the terminal was completed in 1969. With the end of its round-the-world service, ''Orsova'' was chartered by Gulf Oil in the spring of 1969 to act as a floating hospitality and accommodation ship for the formal opening of the Bantry Bay Oil Terminal. Leaving Southampton she called at [[Cobh]] in Ireland to collect the many guests to be taken to the Bay for the ceremony. These included the then [[Taoiseach]], [[Jack Lynch]], together with many ambassadors to the Republic. They were then returned to Cobh and ''Orsova'' returned to Southampton for spring cruising.

In the early 1970s, she was primarily involved in cruises. In 1973 P&O announced that their flagship, ''Canberra'', was to be withdrawn from service, largely because her deep draught prevented her from berthing at many popular cruise ports. ''Orsova'' was to be rebuilt as a cruise ship and sail in tandem with ''Oriana''. Many P&O directors were appalled that their flagship might be scrapped (P&O never sold ships for further service) and that the fleet would consist of ex Orient ships. After a boardroom battle, the decision was reversed and ''Orsova'' was instead withdrawn from service at the end of 1973. She was sold to shipbreakers in [[Taiwan]] and arrived at [[Kaohsiung]] on 14 February 1974 to be broken up.<ref>Kludas, Great Passenger Ships of the World Vol.5</ref>

==Citations==
{{Reflist}}

==References==
* {{cite book |last=Miller |first=William H. Jr |title=Pictorial Encyclopedia of Ocean Liners, 1860–1994 |url=https://archive.org/details/pictorialencyclo0000mill |url-access=registration |publisher=Dover |location=New York |date=1995 |isbn=978-0-486-28137-7 }}
* {{cite book |last=Baty |first=Stuart |title=Ships that passed |publisher=Reed |location=Frenchs Forest, NSW |date=1984 }}
* {{cite book |last=Bremer |first=Stuart |title=Home and Back: Australia's Golden era of Passenger Ships |publisher=Dreamweaver Books |location=Sydney |date=1984 }}

== External links ==
* {{cite web |url=http://ozhoo.net.au/~strathsisters/orsova/index.htm |title=SS ''Orsova'' |website=The P&O "Strath" Sisters}}
* {{cite AV media |url=http://www.britishpathe.com/record.php?id=81863 |title=Across The Pacific Reel 1. |date=1964 |medium=film |publisher=[[British Pathé]]}}
* {{cite AV media |url=http://www.britishpathe.com/record.php?id=48606 |title=Orsova Trials |date=1954 |medium=film |publisher=[[British Pathé]]}}
* {{cite AV media |url=http://www.britishpathe.com/record.php?id=32125 |title=Test XI Off "Down Under" |date=1954 |medium=film |publisher=[[British Pathé]]}}
* {{cite web |url=http://www.poheritage.com/the-collection/galleries/Posters/Line-Voyages/San-Francisco |website=P&O Heritage |title=Advertising Poster featuring Orsova}}
* {{cite web |url=http://iancoombe.tripod.com/id31.html |title=P & O and Orient Liners |website=Merchant Navy Nostalgia}}

<!-- dockmuseum.org.uk not available 2013-08-31
* [http://www.dockmuseum.org.uk/archive/details.asp?imageid=1449&title=Merchant&subject=Shipbuilding&subtitle=At+Sea]"Orsova" Sea Trials photo
* [http://www.dockmuseum.org.uk/archive/details.asp?imageid=1450&title=Merchant&subject=Shipbuilding&subtitle=At+Sea] Aerial view during Sea Trials.
* [http://www.dockmuseum.org.uk/archive/details.asp?imageid=3543&title=Merchant&subject=Shipbuilding&subtitle=At+Sea] Starboard view; snow covered mountains in background
* [http://www.dockmuseum.org.uk/archive/details.asp?imageid=1437&title=Merchant&subject=Shipbuilding&subtitle=Fitting+Out] Fitting out in Buccleuch Dock
* [http://www.dockmuseum.org.uk/archive/details.asp?imageid=1438&title=Merchant&subject=Shipbuilding&subtitle=Fitting+Out] Gearbox being lowered by crane into position during fitting out in Buccleuch Dock.
* [http://www.dockmuseum.org.uk/archive/details.asp?imageid=1439&title=Merchant&subject=Shipbuilding&subtitle=Fitting+Out] Boiler economiser being transported on a Pickford's low loader
* [http://www.dockmuseum.org.uk/archive/details.asp?imageid=1446&title=Merchant&subject=Shipbuilding&subtitle=Fitting+Out] Fitting out in Buccleuch Dock with Majestic berthed alongside during conversion to Melbourne for Australian Navy
* [http://www.dockmuseum.org.uk/archive/details.asp?imageid=1447&title=Merchant&subject=Shipbuilding&subtitle=Fitting+Out] Fitting out in Buccleuch Dock with Majestic berthed alongside during conversion to Melbourne for Australian Navy - Bow view
* [http://www.dockmuseum.org.uk/archive/details.asp?imageid=1448&title=Merchant&subject=Shipbuilding&subtitle=Fitting+Out] One of the ship's Foster-Wheeler boilers being transported on a Pickford's load loader
* [http://www.dockmuseum.org.uk/archive/details.asp?imageid=1431&title=&subject=&subtitle=] Under construction on slipway: looking forward
* [http://www.dockmuseum.org.uk/archive/details.asp?imageid=1440&title=&subject=&subtitle=] Stairway under construction on deck
* [http://www.dockmuseum.org.uk/archive/details.asp?imageid=3535&title=&subject=&subtitle=] Typed list comparing particulars of Orama, Orsova & Oriana
* [http://www.dockmuseum.org.uk/archive/details.asp?imageid=1451&title=&subject=&subtitle=] View taken from Walney Channel of ship prior to launch; on left is another ship under construction - probably Esso Westminster
* [http://www.dockmuseum.org.uk/archive/details.asp?imageid=2350&title=&subject=&subtitle=] In Walney Channel after leaving slipway; port bow view
* [http://www.dockmuseum.org.uk/archive/details.asp?imageid=2416&title=&subject=&subtitle=] Under construction on slipway: port side viewed from Channel
* [http://www.dockmuseum.org.uk/archive/details.asp?imageid=2447&title=&subject=&subtitle=] Guests including ship's sponsor Mrs Anderson (wife of Sir Colin Anderson - Director of Orient Line) on launch platform at moment of launch - 14 May 1953
* [http://www.dockmuseum.org.uk/archive/details.asp?imageid=1442&title=&subject=&subtitle=] View from crane of ship on slipway prior to launch - note launch cradle - port bow view
* [http://www.dockmuseum.org.uk/archive/details.asp?imageid=1444&title=&subject=&subtitle=] View from crane of port side of ship on slipway prior to launch
* [http://www.dockmuseum.org.uk/archive/details.asp?imageid=1433&title=&subject=&subtitle=] Under construction on slipway: view from crane looking forward - hull complete - 29 January 1953
* [http://www.dockmuseum.org.uk/archive/details.asp?imageid=1434&title=&subject=&subtitle=] Under construction on slipway: view from crane looking forward - hull complete - 2 March 1953
* [http://www.dockmuseum.org.uk/archive/details.asp?imageid=1436&title=&subject=&subtitle=] Under construction on slipway: view from crane looking forward - hull complete - building up the superstructure - 29 April 1953
* [http://www.dockmuseum.org.uk/archive/details.asp?imageid=1405&title=&subject=&subtitle=] Under construction on slipway: large section of bottom plate in position - 29 November 1951
* [http://www.dockmuseum.org.uk/archive/details.asp?imageid=1407&title=&subject=&subtitle=] Under construction on slipway: large pre-fabricated section being lowered into position - 1951
* [http://www.dockmuseum.org.uk/archive/details.asp?imageid=1408&title=&subject=&subtitle=] Under construction on slipway: large section of hull plating being lowered into position - 1952
* [http://www.dockmuseum.org.uk/archive/details.asp?imageid=1410&title=&subject=&subtitle=] Under construction on slipway: view from crane looking forward at bottom plating being built up - 29 February 1952
* [http://www.dockmuseum.org.uk/archive/details.asp?imageid=1411&title=&subject=&subtitle=] Under construction on slipway: view from crane - double bottoms in place - 2 April 1952
* [http://www.dockmuseum.org.uk/archive/details.asp?imageid=1413&title=&subject=&subtitle=] Under construction on slipway: view from crane looking forward - main transverse bulkheads in place - 30 May 1953 -->

{{1956 shipwrecks}}

{{DEFAULTSORT:Orsova (1953), SS}}
[[Category:Ships of the Orient Line]]
[[Category:Ships of P&O (company)]]
[[Category:Ships of P&O Cruises]]
[[Category:Maritime incidents in 1956]]