Ormonde

The Ormonde was a significant passenger liner built for the Orient Line that served as both a troop transport and commercial vessel across both World Wars. As the prototype for the "Orama" class, she introduced the then-fashionable cruiser stern design to the Orient fleet.

Construction and Design

Laid down at John Brown & Co, Glasgow, the Ormonde was launched in February 1917 after a three-year construction delay due to World War I. Though designed as a three-class mail steamer, she was completed in October 1917 as a troop transport to serve the war effort.

Early Service

During World War I, the Ormonde transported 38,763 military personnel. Following the war's end, she underwent extensive refitting before commencing her intended commercial service with an inaugural voyage from London to Brisbane on November 15, 1918.

Interwar Commercial Service

Operating primarily on the Australia-UK route, the Ormonde established herself as a reliable passenger liner. In 1935, she survived a significant fire incident at Twofold Bay through the skilled handling of her master. On January 26, 1938, she received the honor of serving as flagship for the Sydney Sesqui-centennial Anniversary Day Regatta.

World War II and Final Years

The Ormonde returned to military service during World War II, where she distinguished herself as a troop transport. After the war, she transported migrants to Australia from 1947 until being deemed obsolete and sold to Scottish ship-breakers in 1952.

Technical Specifications

Specification	Details
Tonnage	Initially 14,853 GRT, later 15,047 GRT
Length	600 feet (182.0 meters)
Beam	66 feet (20.1 meters)
Draught	30 feet (9.1 meters)
Propulsion	Brown S.R.G. steam turbines (17,000 SHP)
Speed	18 knots
Capacity	278 first, 195 second, 1000 third class passengers
Crew	380
Passenger Decks	Seven
Livery	Black hull, white superstructure, yellow funnels, red boot-topping