RMS Orion & RMS Orcades II: Modern Liners
Described in the Architectural Review as “a landmark in the evolution of the modern liner”, Orion (1934) and her sister ship Orcades II (1937) were built for the Orient Line. Orion’s design was a departure from the more usual period styles to a simpler, contemporary style. With modern interiors designed by Brian O’Rorke this was the first time that an architect had carried out the entire decoration of a ship. Designed primarily for tropical conditions they featured air conditioning in all public rooms and a more flexible, informal, open air layout.
Both ships were converted to troopships in the Second World War. Sadly in 1942 Orcades was sunk with the loss of 45 lives south west of Cape Town after a battle with a German U-boat in which she was hit by 6 torpedoes.
RMS Orion
Launched: Barrow-in-Furness, 1934
Disposal: scrapped, 1963
Tonnage: 23,696 tons
Length: 665 feet or 203 metres
Maximum speed: 21 knots
RMS Orcades II
Launched: Barrow-in-Furness, 1937
Disposal: sunk, 1942
Tonnage: 23,456 tons
Length: 639 feet or 195 metres
Maximum speed: 21 knots
Also see: Ocean Liners, SS Normandie, SS Oriana.