Historical information

RMS Orcades was a British built ocean liner that served on the UK-Australia route as a Royal Mail Ship from 1937-1939. Orcades was requisitioned by the British government as a troopship in 1939. It was torpedoed and sunk in October 1942 with the loss of 48 lives. The next Orcades was the first new purpose-built vessel to enter the Australian migrant trade after the Second World War and made over 55 voyages to Australia between 1948 and 1972.

Significance

The significance of this painting is that it was presented as a commemoration of the 50th anniversary of the end of the second world war by the Scullin Australia Remembers Committee in 1995.

Physical description

Framed and signed print of ship "Orcades". Print measures 22 x 30 cm.

Inscriptions & markings

Print is signed "Peter Jones '95".On back of frame "No.9 Orcades to Asia Peter Jones".