Historical information

The Orient Steam Navigation Company Limited launched the Ocean Liner RMS Orion in 1934 and it remained in operation until 1963. The twin screw steamship was built to carry first class and tourist class passengers, over 1100 in all, plus almost 500 crew from Europe to Australia in comfort. The ship had a single funnel and a single mast. During WWII the vessel served as a troop carrier.

The ventilation system noted on the plan, Punkah Louvre System, was designed for heating fresh air ventilation in buildings, ships and railroads. The system originated from Thermotank in Glasgow, Scotland.

Significance

The ship plan for the RMS Orion is significant for its connection with the vessel. The ship was a leader, with several 'firsts'; the first Orient Line ship to be built with a single funnel since 1902, and the first to be painted in the Orient Line's livery, with a corn-coloured hull. It was the first liner to use chromium and bakelite materials for the surfaces throughout the ship, which provided greater resistance to the sea. It was also the first British ship to be fitted with air conditioning.

Physical description

Plan: printed provisional line drawing of the Orient line vessel "R.M.S. Orion". Inscriptions are printed on the plan. There are diagrams of six decks included in the plan. The ship is built for tourist "B" accommodation. The plan's Notices include details of the cabins including wardrobes, drawers, hinged seats, mattresses and bunk numbers. It also notes that there is a Punkah-Louvre System of Ventilation.

Inscriptions & markings

Printed on the plan: "PROVISIONAL PLAN" "LOWER PROMENADE DECK" "UPPER CABIN DECK" "MAIN CABIN DECK" "LOWER CABIN DECK" "SUN DECK" "PROMENADE DECK"
"ORIENT LINE / R.M.S. "ORION" / 24,000 TONS / TOURIST "B" CLASS ACCOMMODATION"
"Owners: Orient Steam Navigation Company Limited"'
"Managers : ANDERSON, GREEN & CO. LTD"
"7 BISHOPS GATE, LONDON, E.C.2"
"Chief Passenger Office : 14 Cockspur Street, London, S.W.1"
"Branch Passenger Office : 1 Australia House, Strand, W.C.2"
"notices"