SS Orcades (1948)

SS Orcades was an ocean liner serving primarily on the UK – Australia – New Zealand route. She started service as a British Royal Mail Steamer (RMS) carrying first and tourist class passengers. Orcades carried many migrants to Australia and New Zealand and was later used as a cruise ship.

Built at the Barrow yard of Vickers-Armstrongs, Orcades (yard no. 950) had an identical hull and machinery to P&O's Himalaya (yard no. 951), though differing in superstructure and interior layout.

During the 1956 Summer Olympics in Melbourne the Orcades served as an accommodation ship.

The vessel underwent refits in 1959 and 1964. During the 1959 refit the ship obtained a 'stovepipe' fitting to her funnel. Under the 1964 refit Orcades became a single class vessel and her external primary colour scheme changed from yellow ['orient corn'] to white. In 1952 RMS Orcades was fitted with a 'top hat' funnel extension to clear smoke from the after decks.

The vessel's near sister ship's were the Oronsay (1951) and Orsova (1954)

Orcades is an ancient name for the Orkney Islands.