Built under yard no 627 by Vickers Armstrong at Barrow for the Orient S.N. Co. Ltd. (Orient Line)
29 September 1927 launched under the name ORFORD.
Tonnage 19.941 gross, 12.027 net, dim. 658.0 x 75.0 x 47.0ft depth to E deck, loaded draught 30.2 ft.
Powered by six single reduction S.R.G steam turbines 19.500 shp. speed 20 knots, service speed 18 knots. Twin screws. Steam supplied by six double ended boilers and two single ended boilers. Fitted for burning fuel oil at build.
Passenger accommodation for 550 first class and 1150 third class, crew 440.
Delivered in 1928. Call Sign LBHM
She was built for the cargo/passenger service of the Orient Line to Australia.
After completing she made a few cruise voyages to Norway and the Mediterranean.
13 October 1928 she sailed from Tilbury for her first voyage to Australia, Melbourne, Sydney and Brisbane.
During the Northern summer seasons she was mostly used for cruising, carrying 550 passengers in one class
1935 Her third class was upgraded to tourist class for about 550 passengers.
1938/39 She made two voyages which extended to New Zealand.
03 September 1939 requisitioned for troop transport
Nov. 1939 embarked the first Australian troops for Europe.
Later used for transport of native troops from Madagascar to Marseilles.
She was embarking British troops from the south of France off the port of Marseille, when under command of Capt. Norman Savage, when on the first of June 1940 German aircraft bombed her. She was set on fire and run onshore; burning furiously she was abandoned eventually becoming a total wreck.
Fourteen persons were killed and 25 wounded.
Raised in 1947 and broken up at Savona.
(Lloyds War Losses gives underway from Mombassa to Marseilles at Marseilles, set on fire (after an air raid) and beached. Sold to La Seyne shipbreakers for 9.500.000 France & left Marseilles Sept. 4 1941 in tow of two tugs. Arrived Savona July 31, 1941 to be broken up,) all the other sources have raised 1947
The following comes from a 1946 Sea Breezes:
In November 1939 the ORFORD commanded by Capt. N.Savage, sailed for Australia to embark the first Australian contingent for Egypt. Subsequently she was allotted to the French Government to bring native troops from Madagascar and she arrived at Marseilles during the evacuation of our Army (English) from France in May 1940.
After disembarking her troops she was sent to an anchorage in the roads to be ready for whatever purpose the local naval control should decided
Australia 1932 2d/5s sg142/4, scott . 1982 27c sg864, scott?. Official stamp O134/5 2d/3d.
Guine Bissau 2011 2900FCFA MSsg?, scott? (she is the two funnel ship in the margin, right under)
Sources: North Star to Southern Cross. Origins, Orient and Oriana. From Chusan to Sea Princess.
Register of Merchant Ships Completed in 1928. Dictionary of Disasters at Sea during the age of Steam 1824-1962.