Orsova (2)

The Orsova (2) was the last of Orient Line's six-ship post-war building program of the 1950s. Named nostalgically after the popular 12,000-ton Orsova (1) of 1909-1936, she represented the peak of the company's shipbuilding advancement, incorporating numerous innovative features and costing £6,500,000 - more than double her sister ship Orcades (3) built just six years earlier.

Construction and Design

Launched on May 14, 1953, at Vickers-Armstrongs Ltd., the vessel marked several departures from conventional design. She was built without a traditional mast and employed a pioneering welding process. The ship featured modern plastic-clad bulkheads and wall linings, while her distinctive funnel took on a more contemporary oval, tapering shape. At 723 feet (220.4m), she was 14 feet longer than her consorts. The interior design followed an Eastern European theme throughout.

Service History 1954-1956

Orsova (2) commenced her maiden voyage from London to Sydney on March 17, 1954. Sir Colin Anderson, the Chairman, accompanied by his Australian-born wife and the chief architect, undertook a comprehensive inspection during this inaugural journey. The ship established a regular route outward via the Suez Canal and homeward via the Panama Canal.

On May 24, 1956, the vessel made headlines when she ran aground off Hovell Light at Port Phillip Bay's entrance, Melbourne. She remained stranded for 12 hours on the same sandbar that had trapped her namesake Orsova (1) in 1932.

Later Years and Modernization

Initially sporting a corn-colored hull, Orsova (2) later received a white hull and superstructure with a yellow funnel and green boot-topping. During a refit, full air conditioning was installed throughout the vessel. In the early 1970s, P&O-Orient converted her from a two-class configuration to a single-class cruise ship serving Pacific and Mediterranean routes.

Final Disposition

After just 20 years of service, Orsova (2) was offered for sale to Taiwanese ship-breakers at the end of 1973.

Key Facts

Specification	Details
Built by	Vickers-Armstrongs Ltd.
Gross Tonnage	28,790
Length	723ft (220.4m)
Beam	91ft (27.7m)
Draft	30ft (9.1m)
Propulsion	D.R.G. steam turbines (42,500 SHP)
Speed	22 knots
Passenger Capacity	Initially 692 first class, 809 tourist class; Later 1,501 one-class
Crew	632
Sister Ships	Orcades (3), Oronsay (2)