Departure of the Orient Line passenger liner ORAMA from Sydney

Date1925

Object number00017471

NameGlass plate negative

MediumGlass plate negative

DimensionsOverall: 120 x 164 mm, 0.075 kg

ClassificationsPhotographs

Credit LineANMM Collection Gift from the Estate of Peter Britz

Terms

DescriptionThis image depicts the Orient Steam Navigation Company's SS ORAMA departing from wharf 7 Woolloomooloo, Sydney. It is likely that this image was taken during the vessel's first visit to the city. The ship departed for London at noon on 10 January 1925. The word Barrow appears on the stern of the vessel underneath ORAMA. It was constructed in Barrow-in-Furness in England by Vickers Company Ltd.HistoryDuring World War I most of the Orient Line ships were requisitioned as either armed merchant cruisers or troopships. Four ships were lost during the conflict. In the 1920s the company sought to replenish their tonnage and commissioned the construction of five sleek new turbine-driven ships, completed between 1924 and 1929, named ORAMA, ORONSAY, OTRANTO, ORFORD and ORONTES. The magnificent 20,000 tonners were designed to carry over 1,200 migrants in modest third class accommodation and almost 600 first class passengers in opulent surroundings. In the early 1930s the Orient Line experienced changing conditions on the Australian route. Emigration dropped due to the Depression and developing tastes meant that passengers who could not afford the first class fare were no longer satisfied with the stark conditions of third class. The company recognised the lucrative market in business and economy passengers, where the quality of berths was not as important as budget and quality of service. By the mid-1930s the third class capacity on the 20,000 tonners was reduced and renamed tourist class.