In 1956, after two years careful planning, Orient Lines made the final decision to build a new ship for the Australian trade. With the added costs of fuel consumption, as well as maintenance of their older ships, it was decided that a larger, fast, more efficient liner would provide a profitable and a superior facilities. After two years of careful planning, Oriana’s the keel was laid on September 18 1957. This, the largest ship built for Orient Lines, would soon join their already sizable fleet. However, unknown at this stage, Oriana would be the last great liner to be built for Orient Lines.
The contract to build the Oriana was awarded to Vickers Armstrong Ltd of Barrow-in-Furness. Construction work commenced 18 September 1956. Slowly the unique design of the Oriana became obvious, new, but she retained design similarities of other Orient Lines ships, such as the Orcades, Oronsay, and the newer Orsova. Location of her lifeboats was the most obvious modification. Oriana was the largest ship to built at the Barrow yard and as we know, it would also be the last ship they constructed for the Orient Steam Navigation Company.
Oriana was launched on Tuesday November 3 1959, by Princess Alexandra, after which the Oriana proceeded to her fitting out dock in Buccleuth, and to complete her aluminium superstructure and interiors.
At 41,915 tonnes the Oriana was the largest passenger liner to be placed on the Australia / New Zealand service. Her dimensions being, 245.1m long, in 30.5m wide, having 730 cabins, 17 public rooms, and 11 passenger decks. She was able to carry 2000 passengers, in two classes, having a crew of around 980. During her sea trials carried out on the Clyde, in November 1960, she achieved a maximum speed of 30.64 knots, and this was in woeful weather conditions. With two sets of Pametrada double-reduction geared steam turbines, which generated 80,000 horsepower, were geared to twin screws, giving a cruising speed of 27.5 knots.
After serving as a part time cruise ship, in 1973 P&O announced that the Oriana would become a full time cruise ship. At first, she remained a two-class ship, however, in 1974, the class barrier was dropped, and Oriana, like other P&O ships, became a one-class ship. A number of onboard changes were made with the removal on the Silver Grill on A deck, which was replaced with additional cabins, as well as name changes for some lounges. As a cruise ship, both the Oriana and Canberra were a remarkable success story. On November 12, 1981, Oriana left Southampton for the final time, heading for Sydney, were she commenced a full time cruise programme. She became the toast of Australian cruise lovers, and proved to be a great success for P&O! She cruised the South Pacific, as well as an occasional Asian itinerary. Over all, Oriana enjoyed an eighty per cent occupancy rate. Her success had other shipping companies enter the market, placing their ships on full and part time cruise duties from Australia. There were Russian, Italian, Greek even a Chinese company who based their ships in the Southern Hemisphere, all vying for that ever increasing cruise dollar. Sitmar, P&O and CTC cruise Companies were the most successful cruise operators. After successfully cruising out of Australia, came a shock announcement on 22 July, 1985. P&O announced that the Oriana might be withdraw from service. The reason obviously being, the competition from Russian and other cruise companies, all offered heavily discounted fares, effecting P&O’s profits. One of these being Sitmar Cruises, operating the popular Fairstar, had become a major player in the Australian cruise market. Then on August 7, it became official; Oriana would conclude her cruise duties on March 27 1986. At the time, no decision had been made regarding her future.
Oriana departed Sydney on March 14, 1986 for her final cruise, packed with enthusiasts, who had cruised on her many times. Oriana returned to Sydney on March 27, sailing majestically through Sydney Heads, up the harbour, under Sydney Harbour Bridge, and slowly docked at the Pyrmont Passenger Terminal. The ships master for the final cruise was Captain Philip Jackson. ss Oriana had by now sailed some 3,430,900 nautical miles, and achieved a record speed 29.21 knots.
It had been announced that Oriana would be replaced by the 20,000 GRT Island Princess. She would cruise from Australian ports six months of the year.
In 1988, P&O Princess Cruises purchased Sitmar Cruises and decided to use the popular Fairstar as their permanent Australian based cruise ship.
The next day after her return from her final cruise, 28 March, Oriana was moved to Pyrmont wharf 21, were she remained laid up for two months. On May 7, it was announced that Oriana had been sold to Japanese interests for the use as a floating hotel, museum, and restaurants.
Her final departure from Sydney was hampered by strikes, but she finally departed Sydney on the afternoon of May 29 1986. Her departure from Sydney became a sombre event, as thousands of past passengers, and those that had come to know her distinctive profile whilst in port, looked on with great sadness. The tug Lady Lorraine sailed ahead of her, spouting her fire hoses, as many small vessels accompanied this great ex Orient Line Passengers Liner to Sydney Heads. The great lady of the sea looked a sad sight, as decks were devoid of any passengers, with no sign of life to be seen anywhere except on the bridge. Rather than sailing by her own, four tugs moved her to Sydney Heads, she them went underway by her own steam. Oriana arrived in Osaka three weeks later.
Oriana says farewell to Australia
She arrived in Japan at 3.00 pm on Tuesday June 24 1986. She docked at the Hitaci Zosen Ship Repair Works at Sakai in Osaka. After renovations, she was towed to Beppu Bay. Oriana may have remained afloat, but became a sad sight, especially as the Japanese owners painted her funnels pink. The hotel venture generally failed and in 1995, the Oriana was sold, this time to Chinese interests. She was towed to Chinwangtao, China, where she became an accommodation ship for the Chinese Government, including a tourist hotel. Oriana was sold again in November 1998. She was purchased for around $6 million by Qinhuangdao in North China’s Hebei Province. Undertow, she arrived in Shanghai October 1998. She was fully refitted in Zing Hua Harbour as a floating tourist attraction, which was funded by the “Hangzhou West Lake International Tourism Culture Development Co Ltd,” who spent some US$3.5 million in renovations. February 1999, Oriana was officially opened to the public, now located in the Pudong district of Shanghai.
Holding a 85% stake in the ship (15% was held by Hangzhou Jiebai Group Co Ltd), Hangzhou West Lake International Tourism Culture Development Co Ltd announced on August 15 2000, that they would auction its holdings in the Oriana. Even though Oriana had more than 500,000 visitors, she did not make the anticipated profits. Finally, the auction took place on September 28, 2000.
She was towed to the Chinese port of Dalian, arriving there on June 30, 2002. Observers noted that she looked better than she had for a long time, being freshly painted and bedecked with flags. She looked more like the Oriana we all know. The event was covered on television, and she became the talking point in Dalian. She underwent yet another a refit before being opened to the public in her new role at this popular resort, where she remains today. However the question is “How long”?
Oriana in Dalian China
On June 18 2004 Oriana was damaged during a severe storm on the 17th, which resulted in a 2.2 meter gash in her bow, being the cause for her lower decks to flood. When photographed the next day, she looked a sorry sight. Then on July 5 came a report from China that she had sunk, however this was untrue.
The last news to come out of China is that the lower three decks are still flooded and continues to list. The ships owners feel that the cost of restoring her is too great. Sadly,,Oriana’s fate might be the blowtorches of the scrap metal dealers, which will be a great loss.
Next Month: TBA
"Whats New" - February 2005
.....
