ss Orcades

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Orcades was the first Orient Line post-war new ship built, replacing the 1937 built Orcades which was lost in the war. Orcades was transferred to P&O Line ownership in 1962, later losing her distinctive yellow hull. She was sold for scrap in 1973.

Martin Mullen joined Orcades on 4th September 1971 and remembers this about his time on board. “We still carried families on the outbound voyage who had paid £20 to emigrate and they enjoyed a fabulous trip out via West Africa, the Cape, Durban and Singapore before arriving in Fremantle. We made the press for the disappearance and suspected murder of a PRS. The chief culprit seemed to be the Chef who was discharged under suspicion in Cape Town. On the return voyage we managed to get into the UK and Australian press again for 2 reasons,

1) A Bank robbery off Cape Nelson when the ships bank vault was cleared of all its cash and the robbers were supposed to have dumped it overboard to be picked-up by waiting launch. Police disguised as DBS boarded us in Adelaide or Melbourne to infiltrate the crew and try to discover the culprits, however they were all identified as spies very quickly and for their own sakes discharged.

2) An English woman and her 2 children stowed away in Adelaide and were not discovered until after we were outside Australian waters. She was going to be put ashore in Durban however her family and friends in England raised enough money to pay all the fares and so she became legitimate and carried on home to England.”

Courtesy of Martin Mullen

Below is one of those amazing scenes when a ship leaves port. On this occasion it was Orcades leaving Sydney Harbour in 1972.

The next three photos have been taken from the following site with the permission of the owner Chris Tyrer. Please visit Chris’ site for a complete set of photos of Orcades both in and out including deck plans.

Courtesy of Chris Tyrer

Courtesy of Alan MacKenzie

Orcades in Orient Line colours. Probably late 50s or early 60s.

Courtesy of Alan MacKenzie

Orcades postcard, probably late 1960s.

Courtesy of Alan MacKenzie

Rare local postcard showing Orcades in Orient Line colours in Suva.

Courtesy of Richard Reubin

Orcades in original colours. Photo by Beken & Sons Cowes. Taken from JA Dixon Card.

Courtesy of Mike Williams

Melbourne.

Courtesy of Mike Williams

Leaving Melbourne.

Courtesy of Mike Williams

Orcades, Australis and Marconi leaving Melbourne.

Courtesy of Rod Murchison

Orcades in Malta Harbour circa 1957.

Courtesy of Rod Murchison

Rod thinks the orange funnel ship in the background might be Nevasa but it doesn't look like it to me so we're both hoping someone will be able to name her.

Courtesy of Rod Murchison

That view looks so familiar to me.

Courtesy of Mike Williams

Orcades Officers and Passenger Lists, also Rules and Regulation.

Mediterranean cruise, 17th June 1950.