SS ORIANA

Maker P&O (British, founded 1837)

Date1966 - 1986

Object number00004919

NamePoster

MediumPhotographic image on paper.

DimensionsOverall: 456 x 620 mm

ClassificationsPosters and postcards

Credit LineANMM Collection Gift from Nico Peters

Terms

DescriptionA poster with a colour photograph of the passenger liner SS ORIANA titled 'P&O - Orient Lines SS ORIANA 42,000 tons'.HistoryThe SS ORIANA left Southampton for her maiden voyage in December 1960. To accommodate both the immigrant and tourist market, the ship was fitted out with two classes - First and Tourist. On this auspicious journey ORIANA sailed to Melbourne, Sydney, New Zealand, North America then back to Southampton. In 1973 the now white hulled ORIANA was operated as a full-time cruise ship from after competition from airlines and lowering migrant numbers saw a rethink from shipping companies. The ship was refitted to now offer a single class of accommodation for up to 1677 passengers. The decision was also made to base the ORIANA in Sydney from November through to February to take advantage of the growing South Pacific and South East Asia holiday market. This arrangement became permanent in 1981and the vessel in port became a well-loved sight for Sydneysiders. In 1986 however P&O decided to retire the ORIANA and the ship was sold to a Japanese group to become a stationary and leisure centre in Oita. For nine years the vessel remained in Japan before being sold again to a Chinese company who had similar plans for the ORIANA in Northern China. This venture proved less successful and in 1998 ORIANA was sold again and moved to Shanghai. Here, after a refit of several million dollars, ORIANA regained some of her lost lustre and became an exhibition centre, wedding venue and hotel. Whilst she was no longer at sea, the ORIANA was still providing visitors with happy memories. In 2005, after a series of minor reinventions, the ORIANA was damaged in a storm and owners felt it was to expensive oi repair her. And so ended the long and varied career of one of Australia’s most favoured visitors. SignificanceThe SS ORIANA had a long and close relationship with Australia form its launch in 1960. It was the destination of ORIANA's maiden voyage and Sydney would be its home port in 1981.