Oranje
The Oranje was a distinctive Dutch passenger liner launched in September 1938 by Queen Wilhelmina. Named in honor of the Dutch Royal House of Orange, she was originally designed for the Amsterdam-East Indies trade route but became one of the most familiar and admired liners to visit Australian waters.
Design and Construction
The Oranje featured a unique hull design that dramatically bulged from the main deck level to the waterline. This innovative design allowed for increased internal cabin space while reducing Suez Canal transit fees, which were calculated based on hull breadth at main deck level. Her sharply cut-away bow forefoot enhanced speed, while her pear-shaped hull reduced rolling in choppy seas. The vessel exemplified Art Deco design with her single raked funnel, pronounced sheer at bow and stern, and rounded forward superstructure. Premier cabins were positioned amidships, with air-conditioning installed in all public rooms and first-class accommodations.
Wartime Service
Departing Amsterdam on September 4, 1939, the Oranje would not return to her home port for seven years. Upon reaching Surabaya, she was briefly laid up before sailing to Sydney, where she was transferred to the Royal Australian Navy for conversion to a hospital ship at Cockatoo Island. During the war, she completed more than 40 mercy voyages for the Australian and New Zealand governments, marked with distinctive red crosses on her hull, superstructure, and funnel, and fully illuminated at night. She continued repatriation duties for an additional year after the war.
Post-war Service
Following the war, the Oranje returned triumphantly to the Netherlands for civilian refit. She subsequently operated under charter to the Australian Government, transporting immigrants to Australia, South Africa, and Indonesia, while carrying Australian and New Zealand tourists on return voyages. After a further refit, she entered her final phase of service conducting round-world voyages.
Key Facts
| Specification | Details |
|---|---|
| Built by | Netherlandsche Scheepsbouw Maatschappij, Amsterdam |
| Gross Tonnage | 20,565 |
| Length | 656 ft (199.9 m) |
| Beam | 84 ft (25.6 m) |
| Draught | 29 ft (8.8 m) |
| Propulsion | Three 12 cylinder Sulzer diesels (27,999 SHP) |
| Speed | 21 knots |
| Passenger Capacity | 283 first, 283 second, 92 third, 82 fourth class |
| Crew | 391 |
| Passenger Decks | Eight |
| Livery | Grey hull, white superstructure, yellow/green/black funnel, red boot-topping |