One from 1998, an anniversary present for a ex steward who met his future wife on board Orontes -- she was a stewardess on that particular trip !
Picture added on 30 August 2007
Comments:
I was two years old and was on the Orontes on what was supposed to be its last trip to be scrapped in Australia in 1957/58. It ended up the ship went back to Britain. We came to Aus on the ten pound plan. We arrived in Sydney in March 1958. My mother, dad and I were on the boat and our name was Kennedy. I spent some time in the infirmary having my tonsils out. It is great to see a picture of this ship. Thank you for posting it. Cheers Jan
My mother travelled on SS Orontes on the assisted passage scheme, in 1959. I have 4 dinner menu cards (dates Nov-Dec 1959. The artwork is by Douglas Annand.
I came out to Australia with my parents in 1959, We landed in Melbourne. The surname is Luke. Its good t compare the Oronte's with the modern cruise ships, and in 1959 we thought the Oronte's was modern.
We travelled on oronte depart Southhamton July 1960 arrived Adelaide late August.I can still remember a lot of the trip and have many items of intrest. Being a large family mum and dad with six children we shared two cabins on D deck
My brother Jim Burke (R.I.P) and his new bride Veronica Tharme sailed from Southampton on the Orontes and arrived in Station Pier, Melbourne on April 06 1959.
Added by Terri Strange on 04 February 2009.
I travelled from Tilbury and arrived Brisbane march 9th 1961, they had to cut the masts as they were just to high to go under the storey bridge, was first and last time it went to Brisbane, took 6 weeks and 2 days, captains name was Britain,
I joined this ship in Jan '61 as ships assistant carpenter to Jerry White. My first sailing was Tilbury to Sydney via Suez, I did 3 trips and as far as I know it was scrapped in Valencia '62 after I left ship at Tilbury.
I was 8 years old when we sailed on the Orontes from England to Melbourne in 1957. I would love to find out the deck plans if any exist. Can I get a photo ship that I can print out from anywhere please.
My parents, brother and I returned to Australia from England in 1954. We arrived in Fremantle on 25 February 1954. I have been unable to find a departure date for this sailing from London. Does anybody know how long it took?
My family travelled on the Orontes from Southhampton Dec 1959. Arrived in Freemantle Jan 1960, then to Adelaide to Melbourne, where we disenbarked to begin our new life in Australia.
hi, do you have any information on the orontes being used as a troopship in 1942 my father sailed on the same named ship on 23rd of june from alexandria to sicily ready to invade italy and are there any pictures of the ship during the war years thanks
My Grandfather sailed from Tilbury Docks to Brisbane on the 'Orontes' 100 years ago in January 2010. He was in his 20's and came to Austalia to make a new life. He ended up farming in NSW and was very proud to name his farm 'Orontes'. As the date just recently passed, it was quite a nostalgic day with lots of thoughts on the hardships of leaving a family behind and particularly the great vision he must have had. The farm is still in our family to this day. Another interesting fact is that we still remain in contact with all of his family in England & also Canada. We are now up to the 5th generation in this country, all bought about by his brave decision to depart his homeland and start a new life.
Added by Anne Gunn on 04 February 2010.
My Father sailed from Tilbury Docks to Brisbane on January 7th 1910 on the first "Orontes" and returned on this the second "Orontes", to visit his homeland in 1950.
Added by Joy Drury on 14 February 2010.
My mother in law and son and daughter came from Tibury to Melbourne around 1949 , joan lee, and daughter Donna son Tony( born Utrecht1948 ) on trip back to australia from Holland
I am preparing a new book in which the second Orontes features and would welcome photos (especially interior) of the ship and details of any souvenirs such as dinner menus, voyage calendars or other memorabilia, especially pre-WWII. I will ensure you receive full credit if the materials are used.
A beautiful picture. I remember Orontes with great affection. I sailed in her from October 1960 right up to her last voyage, paying off on 19th February 1962. Incidentally was the Stewardess's first name Shirley. I seem to remember a lovely couple, he a Steward who were very much in love and I do remember a wedding. When I look at this picture I remember having a photograph taken with a pal. We were sitting on the gunn'ell under the lifeboat which can be seen on the starboard side forard well deck. I have often wondered what might have became of us had we leaned back a bit too far and gone over the wall.
i was asst headwaiter on orontes 1958 1960 nice memories
Added by Bert Sanchez on 30 April 2010.
I came to Melbourne on the Orontes . We left Tilbury in Dec 1959 via Suez, arriving in Jan 1960. I came with my Mum, Dad, sister & brother.Our Surname Matthews.
Added by Jacky Veltman on 03 May 2010.
Built by Vickers Armstrong at Barrow as were most Orient Line ships. She was completed in 1929 and was scrapped in Spain in 1962.
Jacky Veltman and family must have been on the same voyage as my family.
Added by Kirsi Sade on 03 May 2010.
My father, James Donaldson, served on the Orontes in the early 1950's. I would be very interested in hearing from anyone who may remember him. He worked in the engine room. He served in the British Merchant Navy from 1950-1956 and would have served on other ships as well. Any information would be appreciated.
Cheers
Jan
Added by Jan on 17 September 2007.