Built as a cargo- passenger liner under yard No 668 by Bremer Vulkan, Vegesack, Germany for the Hamburg Amerika Line.
Intended name RIO ORINOCO but before launching altered.
07 February 1928 launched under the name ORINOCO.
Tonnage, 9.660 gross, 5.478 net, 13.900 dwt., dim. 144.78 x 18.57 x 10.39m., length bpp 139.75m.
Powered by two 8-cyl. Schichau-Sulzer diesels, 6.800 bhp., twin screws, speed 15 knots.
Passenger accommodation for 167 first, 101 second and 99 third class, crew 187.
15 April 1928 delivered to owners.
21 April 1928 sailed for her maiden voyage from Hamburg to the West Indies.
Till 1939 in the service from Hamburg to South and Middle America.
When World War II broke out interned in Tampico, Mexico and laid up.
01 April 1941seized by the Mexico Government at Vera Cruz, renamed PUEBLA.
She was too large to be used by the Mexico Government in one of their lines, and bareboat chartered, in November 1942 by the USA Government (Maritime Commission) as a USA Army troop transport PUEBLA.
If she has made any voyages for the army I am not sure but a web-site on McCormack Line gives that the PUEBLA was chartered for the duration of the war for $20.000 a month, and that she was used in the company services from the USA along the coast to South America and that she would make calls at Mexico. She was during this charter put under the Panama flag and registry.
June 1946 handed back to the Mexico Government. After reconditioned by Todd’s Brooklyn yard she could carry 626 passengers
1947 Sold to the Southern Steamships Pty Ltd., (Olympia Line) South Africa and renamed OLYMPIA.
30 January 1947 she sailed from New York under South African flag for Naples and Piraeus.
Upon arrival at Piraeus most probably renamed PUEBLA, sailed Piraeus 19 February 1947 under that name, arrived on 13 March 1947 in New York. (Why the name was changed, most probably defaulting on payments)
April 1947 sold to Cia Transoceanica Argentina, (Transoceanica Line) Buenos Aires and renamed JUAN DE GARAY.
Accommodation for 850 in one class and was used in the service between Rio Plata and ports in Italy and Spain. Used in the service of the Spanish Ybarra Line.
1952 Under Panama registry, not renamed.
31 March 1961 laid up at Barcelona, Spain.
20 November 1962 arrived at Castellon, Spain for breaking up.
St Vincent 1996 $1.10 sg 3477, scott 2348f.
Source: North Atlantic Seaways by Bonsor. Merchant Fleets in profile Vol. 4 by Haws. Watercraft Philately Vol. 44 page 10.