RMS Orion

RMS "Orion" was an ocean liner launched by the Orient Steam Navigation Company in 1934 and retired from the water in 1963 after carrying about 500,000 passengers. A 23,371 ton passenger ship, the Orion was built to carry 486 first class, 653 tourist class and 466 crew passengers from Europe through the Pacific to Australia.

The vessel's sister ship was "Orcades" (2) (1937)".

Design and construction

Called “A landmark in the evolution of the modern liner” by "The Architectural Review"', "Orion" was externally significant to the Orient Line as thefirst to wear the corn colored hull paint later a trademark for the companyʼs ships. Internally, she was evolutionutionary, as could be clearly seen and felt. Liners of the past had adopted the cloistered and formally decorated styles of interior designing found in the wealthy homes of England. However, Brian OʼRorke, the New Zealand-born designer in charge of "Orion" 's interior, recognized the need to adapt to the tropical and ocean going conditions of life aboard ship. The result was an open air layout that made use of removable and folding walls, sliding glass doors, and relatively enormous promenade decks to keep cooling breezes flowing through spaces passengers could relax in. Rooms without access to the deck of the boat were also made to feel breezy by being as light and uncluttered as possible. Furnishings were chosen for their clean lines, wood given matte finishes, and columns left unadorned. Going past just being unadorned, the chromium and bakelite materials used extensively throughout the ship meant surfaces were more resistant to the wearing effects of sea air, a first in liners. This was a new type of functional interior that could be linked to the functionality of a shipʼs exterior.

Launched by the Duke of Gloucester from Australia by wireless remote, "Orion" slid into the Lancashire water at Vickers Armstrongs in 1934. On September 29, 1935 she made her first of many voyages to Australia, becoming the chic way to travel between Europe and Australia. She also made small cruises from England to Norway. When WWII began in 1939, the Orion was converted into a troop carrier by the British Government, carrying over 175,000 war personnel more than 380,000 miles until 1946. After being converted back into a passenger ship, the Orion was again cruising between Europe and Australia, as well the United States. Her final voyage was in 1963, but she was used as floating accommodation for the International Horticultural Exhibition before being dismantled.

References

* Goossens, Reuben. [http://www.ssmaritime.com/orion2.htm]
* Lloyd Jenkins, Douglas. 40 Legends of New Zealand Design. Auckland, N.Z.: Godwit, 2006.
* Maxtone-Graham, John. "Liners to the Sun". New York: Macmillan, 1985.
* Mulliss, Steve. July 2003. RMS Orion History. [http://www.angelfire.com/on3/rmsorion/history.htm]
* Van der Ven, Martin. RMS Orion. [http://www.offshore-radio.de/fleet/orion.htm]

External links

* [http://www.ssmaritime.com/orion2.htm SS Maritime]