Built as a passenger-vessel under yard No. 1061 by the yard of Vickers Armstrong at Barrow, England for the Oriental Steam Navigation Co. Ltd. (Orient Line), London.
12 May 1954 contract to build her was signed.
18 September 1957 keel laid down.
03 November 1959 was she launched on a sunny day, and christened ORIANA by Princess Alexandra. The name is after the poetic huntress and heroine, a character associated with Queen Elizabeth I of England (reigned 1558-1603) by contemporary writers; in 1601 Thomas Morley edited a significant collection of madrigals. The Triumphs of Oriana, written by a number of composers in honour of the aging Queen.
Tonnage 41.915 gross, 22.354 net, 12.835 gross, dim. 245.1 x 29.6 x 12.8m., length bpp. 225m, draught 8.5m.
Powered by six steam turbines manufactured by Vickers Armstrong (Engineers) Ltd., Barrow, single reduction geared to twin screws, 80.000 shp., speed 23.5 knots.
Bunker capacity 6.852 tons fuel, fresh water 2.365 tons.
Passenger accommodation for 638 first, 1.496 tourist class. Later 1.677 in “open class”. Crew 899.
Cargo capacity for 55.520 cubic feet reefer space and 150.541 cubic feet general cargo.
Loading/discharging gear: 8 – 5 tons electric cranes.
Building cost £14.764.000.
15 November 1960 delivered to P&O Orient Line, although registered under Orient Steam Navigation Co. Ltd.
She was built for the UK to Australia service, later used for cruising.
03 December 1960 left Southampton for her maiden voyage to Sydney, where she arrived after a passage of 27 days. From Sydney she worked her way across the Pacific to San Francisco and Los Angeles and thence homeward via Sydney and the west-about route, the round voyage being completed in 111 days.
03 December 1962 in collision off Los Angeles with the US aircraft carrier USS KEARSARGE.
1965 Registered in the ownership of Peninsular and Oriental Steam Navigation Co.
1973 Only used as a cruise vessel.
11 February 1986 P&O Lines Ltd. appointed as managers.
During her last days under the flag of the P&O she made only cruises from Australian ports.
30 April 1986 Sold to Daiwa House Sales Co. Ltd., Japan for $9.4 million, for service as a floating cultural attraction.
26 June 1986 arrived at Sakai, Japan under tow from Sydney, Australia.
She was converted by Hitachi Zosen.
1987 Tourist attraction at Beppu Bay, Kyushi Island, South Japan. Her funnels painted pink. The intention was to use her as a floating hotel, but this failed.
1995 Sold to Chinese interest and towed to Qinhuangdao, China.
1998 Sold to Shaghai Oriana Entertainment Co.Ltd. She was bought by two Chinese businessmen for a reported $5.8 million.
18 November 1998 towed to Shanghai, and refitted in Zing Hua Harbour as a floating tourist attraction funded by West Lake International Travel Culture. Early 1999 was she opened for the public.
28 September 2000 sold at an auction to Hangzhou Jiebaie Corporation, Shanghai for 375.000 US Dollars ( 300 million yuan)
June 2002 towed to Dalian, China for a floating tourist attraction. She was opened the same month for the public and berthed permanently at Xinghai Bay in Dalian. Visitors will be able to see the ships original bridge, VIP hall, post office and hospital, and enjoy films and artistic performances there.
16 June 2004 during a storm suffered damage and started to sink. Listed to port, she was stabilized by two large cranes.
2005.After removal of its interior fittings, is undergoing complete demolition at the Zhangjiangang shipyard
Fiji 1967 2s sg 363, scott 232.
Vanuatu 1983 20v sg 362
Solomon Islands 1984 18c sg 521
Source: Marine News. Orient Line a Fleet History by Peter Newall. P&O A Fleet History, World Ship Society. Marine News.