SS Orcades (1936)
| History | |
|---|---|
| United Kingdom | |
| Name |
|
| Namesake | Orkney |
| Owner | Orient Line |
| Port of registry | London |
| Route | England – Mediterranean – Suez Canal – Ceylon – Australia (1937–39) |
| Builder | Vickers-Armstrongs Ltd, Barrow-in-Furness, England |
| Launched | 7 December 1936 |
| Completed | July 1937 |
| Identification |
|
| Fate | Sunk by torpedoes 10 October 1942 fired by U-172 |
| General characteristics | |
| Tonnage | |
| Length | 639.3 feet (194.9 m) |
| Beam | 82.2 feet (25.1 m) |
| Draught | 30 feet 2 inches (9.19 m) |
| Depth | 33.6 feet (10.2 m) |
| Decks | 2 |
| Installed power | 4,912 NHP |
| Propulsion | 6 Parsons steam turbines; single reduction gearing; twin screws |
| Speed | 21 knots (39 km/h) |
| Capacity | 741 passengers |
| Crew | 290 crew plus 36 DEMS gunners |
| Armament |
|
| Notes | sister ship: RMS Orion |
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RMS Orcades was a British passenger ship that Vickers-Armstrongs Ltd of Barrow-in-Furness built as an ocean liner in 1937. Her owner was Orient Line, which operated her between Britain and Australia 1937–39, and also as a cruise ship. The British Admiralty then requisitioned her and had her converted into a troopship.
In 1942 the German submarine U-172 attacked her off South Africa. Orcades' crew and gunners fought to fend off the submarine and save their ship, and it took U-172 two and a half hours and seven torpedoes to sink her. Orcades' Master, Charles Fox, was decorated by the Crown and Lloyd's of London for his bravery and leadership.