RMS Orama 1911 Overview and Background

The RMS Orama was a British passenger liner that played a significant role in the history of shipping.

Built by the Clydebank Shipbuilding and Engineering Company in 1911, the Orama was designed to be a luxurious and efficient vessel.

The ship was 530 feet long and had a gross tonnage of 12,646 tons, making it a substantial vessel of its time.

It had a top speed of 16 knots and was equipped with a triple-expansion steam engine, providing the power needed to propel it through the water.

The RMS Orama was a passenger liner that served the Orient Line of the British-Australian Steam Navigation Company. It was launched in 1911.

The Orama was built by William Denny and Brothers at their Dumbarton shipyard in Scotland. It measured 560 feet in length and had a gross tonnage of 14,140 tons. The ship's top speed was 17 knots.

The Orama had a capacity for 400 first-class and 200 third-class passengers, with a crew of around 230.

The maiden voyage of RMS Orama was a significant event in her history. On November 6, 1911, she was delivered to Tilbury to be handed over to Orient Line, but she collided with a pier head and was slightly damaged.

John Brown & Co delivered Orama to Tilbury on November 6, 1911. Her Master was Captain AJ Coad, RNR, who led the ship on her maiden voyage.

Orama set sail on November 10, 1911, from Tilbury for Brisbane, carrying a large amount of mail to reach Australia in time for Christmas. This was a remarkable feat, as she was the largest mail ship to visit Australia at the time.

Passengers on board included Havelock Wilson, President of the UK National Sailors' and Firemen's Union, who was on his way to treat his gout at the hot springs in Rotorua, New Zealand.

Orama was the second liner with "combination" machinery to reach Australia, a notable achievement in maritime history.

Between 1912 and 1914, the RMS Orama underwent significant changes. The ship's size increased, and it was rebuilt to accommodate more passengers.

The RMS Orama was rebuilt with a new cargo capacity of 6,000 tons. This expansion allowed the ship to carry more goods and supplies.

In 1912, the RMS Orama began regular services between the UK and Australia. This marked a significant milestone in the ship's history.

The RMS Orama was now a major player in the transcontinental trade route. Its increased cargo capacity and regular services made it a vital link between the two countries.

The RMS Orama's rebuilt design also included improved living quarters for passengers. This upgrade reflected the growing demand for luxury travel.

The RMS Orama's improved facilities and services made it a popular choice for travelers.

The final voyage of RMS Orama was a tragic event that ended in loss.

On 22 September 1917, Orama left Liverpool, bound for French West Africa.

She sailed alongside the HMS Marmora, a P&O liner converted into an AMC, and reached Dakar on 30 September.

On 7 October, Orama left Dakar to escort a convoy back to home waters.

The convoy was joined by destroyer escorts in the North Atlantic on 18-19 October, just west of the Bay of Biscay.

At 0900 hrs, the destroyer USS Nicholson left the convoy to assist the liner J.L. Luckenbach, which was being shelled by SM U-62.

Unfortunately, Orama's luck ran out when U-62 torpedoed her at 1755 hrs, hitting her number three hold.

Water quickly rose in Orama's holds two and three, and her crew was forced to abandon ship.

By 2100 hrs, Orama was sinking bow-first, with her crew scrambling to escape.

The Captain and Navigator were among the last to leave, departing at 2150 hrs.

Tragically, Orama sank at 2155 hrs, with a loss of life that would later be reported as five.

The RMS Orama was built in 1911 in Great Britain by John Brown and Company, Clydebank. It was a large ship, measuring 569x64.2 meters and weighing 12,927 tons.

The Orama was owned by the Orient Line from Britain and made its maiden voyage on November 10, 1911, from London to Brisbane. It was a P and O ship, designed to carry a significant number of passengers, with 240 first-class, 210 second-class, and 630 third-class passengers.

The Orama was launched on June 28, 1911, and was a triple-screw ship capable of reaching 18 knots. It was a significant vessel in its time, serving as a passenger liner and later as an auxiliary cruiser in the Royal Navy.

Here's a brief overview of the Orama's specifications:

The Orama played an important role in World War I, serving as an auxiliary cruiser in the Royal Navy. It was torpedoed and sunk by the German submarine U-62 on October 19, 1917, while escorting a convoy.

The RMS Orama was a significant ship in Australian maritime history. It was built in 1911 and launched on June 28th of that year.

The Orama was a large ship, measuring 569 feet in length and 64.2 feet in width, with a gross tonnage of 12,927 tons. It had a top speed of 18 knots.

The ship was owned by the Orient Line and made its maiden voyage from London to Brisbane on November 10, 1911. It had a capacity for 240 first-class passengers, 210 second-class passengers, and 630 third-class passengers.

Here's a breakdown of the Orama's passenger capacity:

The Orama's journey was not without incident, as it was torpedoed and sunk by the German submarine U-62 on October 19, 1917, while escorting a convoy south of Ireland.