She was one of five sister ships, along with Orsova, Osterley, Otranto and Orvieto. They were later joined by RMSOrama, which was slightly larger and had different machinery. With these ships the Orient Line offered the travelling public fixed sailings every other week to Australia and New Zealand. Requisitioned by the Royal Navy and deployed as an armed merchant cruiser, Otway was torpedoed and sunk by German U-boatSMUC-49 off the Hebrides on 23 July 1917 in World War I, with the loss of 10 lives.
Launch
She was launched on 21 November 1908 from the yards of the Fairfield Shipbuilding and Engineering Company, Ltd, the christening ceremony being performed by Mrs Frederick Green.[1] The vessel was named after the well-known headland on the Victorian coast, Cape Otway.[2]
Immediately before her arrival at Sydney at the end of her maiden voyage 21 August 1909, a reporter described the ship: "The Otway is equal in every respect to the Orsova, which has created a favourable impression since she first arrived here a fortnight ago. Her tonnage — 12,077 — is 41 tons in excess of that of the Orsova, so that she is the largest British mail steamer that has yet visited Australia. The principal dimensions of the Otway are:— Length, 552ft; breadth, 63ft 3in; depth, 46ft. She is subdivided into 10 watertight compartments, fitted for wireless telegraphy, and equipped with all the devices necessary to ensure efficient ventilation and sanitation. An important feature is a vast improvement in the accommodation for third-class passengers, a very important matter now that large numbers of English mechanics and labourers are finding out the great opportunities which Australia offers to them. These passengers are provided with a spacious dining saloon, music-room, and smoking-room, and their sleeping accommodation is mostly on the upper and main decks, and their promenade deck for exercise and amusement is unusually extensive. The first-class saloons, lounges, lodges and cabins are palatial and luxurious, and the second-saloon passengers find their accommodation in no way less roomy and comfortable, even though it is less highly embellished. A feature of the second-class is that the accommodation is entirely amidships."[1] An earlier report provided further details of her furnishings: "She is furnished in darker tints than Clydebank's Orsova. The first-class dining saloon is in walnut, in old English style. The lounge and drawing room are in Italian walnut, and the music-room adjoining in Italian walnut relief and planetree carving. The deck above has been raised so as to give a height below of about 11ft. The smoking room is in carved oak, old English style. Eight of the cabins are cabins deluxe and are finished in satinwood, oak, mahogany, and planetree. In the dining saloon and also in the bedrooms of the cabins deluxe there are ventilating punkahs, while in each cabin there is a ceiling fan. Many of the cabins are single berth, and a number are on the Bibby principle. The second class dining saloon is in polished mahogany, the ladies' or music room, in light oak, and the smoking room in teak. The third-class dining saloon, on the main deck, extends from side to side of the ship. The third class have also a ladles' room and smoking-room. The majority of the rooms are for two and four passengers."[4]
Wireless
At the time of launch, Otway was stated to be being fitted for wireless telegraphy equipment. Her sister ship Otranto had actually been so fitted at time of commissioning and there was an expectation that Otway would likewise. But when Otway arrived in Melbourne 1 August 1909, it was reported: "Apparently the Orient S.N. Co. is in no hurry to equip all its liners with "wireless" until the establishment of Australian shore stations admits of practical use being made of the system between sea and land. In view, however, of the fact that the Otranto was installed with "wireless" before she left London on her present visit to the Commonwealth, it was generally anticipated that the other liners of the fleet would be similarly fitted in turn before their departure for Australia. This expectation, however, is not being fulfilled, as the Otway, which arrived at Port Melbourne yesterday morning, having left London a fortnight later than the Otranto, is still without a "wireless" apparatus. So far, therefore, the Otranto is the only vessel of the "Orient" line with this invaluable system installed. It will be remembered that the Otranto made free use of "wireless" on her voyage to Australia, establishing communication with shore stations and liners en route. The despatch and receipt of "wireless" messages by passenger steamers is naturally a great attraction to voyagers, whose interest in the "outside" world is thereby sustained from day to day whilst communication is possible with the shore. During the voyage of the Otranto, for instance, "wireless" exchanges passed between the liner and the Poldhu station, at Cornwall, England until at a distance of 1,500 miles further contact became impossible. As will be readily understood by those who have experienced the monotony of a sea voyage, items of news received from the land by "wireless" were greatly appreciated by the Otranto's passengers. The Otway berthed alongside the Port Melbourne Railway Pier early yesterday morning, having experienced a quiet and enjoyable trip from London via the usual stages. The passengers comprised about 90 in the saloon and 480 in the third class, all of whom were apparently well pleased with their sojourn on board the fine liner. She leaves for Sydney to-day."[5]
By 1913 Otway was equipped for wireless telegraphy, operating on the 300 and 600 metre wavelengths. Her call sign was MOH.[6]
Trials
A report of 8 July 1909 was as follows: "The twin-screw steamer Otway, the second of the five liners built for the Orient Steam Navigation Co.'s mail service, ran full-power trials on the Firth of Clyde on 26 May. The Otway, ran the measured mile trials at Skelmorlie. She carried out a series of 12 runs, varying in speed from 13 knots to a maximum of 18.2 knots. Afterwards a series of trials were carried out to determine the diameter of the turning circle. This was found to be three cable lengths. Further trials consisted of four runs between the Cloch and Cumbrae Lights. These proved thoroughly successful, a mean speed of 17.87 knots being attained. Later she went on a six hours' continuous run at this speed. She afterwards left for London, running on the way a 24 hours' coal consumption trial. The stipulated limit is 1.4lb per i.h.p."[4]
Maiden voyage
Otway in a heavy sea
Otway left London on her maiden voyage on 9 July 1909.[7] Ports of call included Marseilles, Naples (18 July), Port Said (22 July), Suez (23 July), Colombo (2 August), Fremantle (12 August), Adelaide (16 August), Melbourne (18 August), Sydney (21 August), Brisbane (26 August), Sydney (30 August), Melbourne (6 September), Fremantle, Port Said, Naples, London.[8]
On arrival in Adelaide 16 August 1909, the local agent had arranged a special reception aboard Otway for some 200 invited guests: "A special train which left Adelaide for the Outer Harbor on Monday afternoon carried a party of about 200 ladies and gentlemen who had been invited by the Orient Steam Navigation Company to a reception onboard the splendid new mail steamer Otway, which arrived from England on Monday morning. The guests were received by Mr M. G. Anderson, the Adelaide agent, and Captain F. Symons, R.N.R., the commander, and were shown over the vessel, the luxurious appointments of which were generally admired. The cost of the great ocean liner approximated to £350,000, and she has a register of 12,077 tons, with a capacity for carrying many hundreds of passengers in the three classes. The chief dining saloon is superb, and so are the smoking, reading, and drawing rooms set apart for first-class travellers. Even the apartments reserved for second class passengers are fitted in a much more, costly fashion than are the best hotels in this city, while the third-class dining saloon is a spacious chamber the full width of the ship, and well lighted from both sides. The acme of comfort has been reached in the staterooms, which are as large and as airy as many bedrooms ashore, while the suites consisting of staterooms, bathroom, sitting-room, and maids' room were so attractive that they instilled a desire for ocean travel into many hearts. The sleeping apartments in the second class are desirable chambers, both in regard to their size and their appointments, and generally, the company in the Otway appear to have reached as nearly to perfection in the endeavour to cater for the comfort of their patrons asleep and awake as it is possible to reach even in these days of great achievements. There are several promenade decks, which run practically the whole length of the ship, and the space thus available for exercise is remarkable. It is "a Sabbath day's journey" to get from one end of the Otway to the other, while the decks are all so high above the water that a most comprehensive view of the surroundings is obtainable from them. The company hospitably entertained the visitors at afternoon tea, and a fine programme of instrumental music, including selections from a number of favorite operas, was rendered by the Otway band. The special tram left the Outer Harbor at 5 p.m. amid cheers from the steamer's passengers, and not long afterwards the mail boat resumed her voyage to Melbourne. Everyone present thoroughly enjoyed the trip, which was made particularly pleasurable by the excellent arrangements of Mr Anderson for the convenience of his guests."[9]
Details of the crew were provided in a report of her arrival in Melbourne (18 August 1909): "With names obliterated it would be impossible to distinguish the R.M.S. Orsova from her consort Otway, which arrived yesterday. The Otway berthed alongside the Railway Pier at Port Melbourne, where for the rest of the day she was an object of interest and admiration. Her arrival could not have been made under more propitious conditions, the weather leaving nothing to be desired. ln every sense the voyage of the new liner was a distinct success. Leaving London on 9 July, the Otway met with fine weather, which continued to prevail throughout the voyage. There were 500 passengers. The Otway made the customary port calls on her way to Melbourne. She is under the care of Captain F. S. Symons, who has associated with him the following officers:— Chief, Mr W. de V. Baynham; second, Mr C. Mathieson; third, Mr C. F. Halliday; surgeon, Mr L. Stephen; purser, Mr Windle; chief engineer, Mr D. Williamson; second engineer, Mr G.D.S. White; chief steward, Mr T. E. Rimington. The Otway will leave here for Sydney at noon today."[10]
Career
Mail Steamer
Otway left London on her second voyage on 29 October 1909.[11]
Armed merchant cruiser
This section is empty. You can help by adding to it. (December 2020)
Fate
A brief report 27 July 1917 advised the loss of Otway: "R.M.S. OTWAY TORPEDOED AND SUNK; LONDON, Thursday.— The Admiralty announces that the armed merchant cruiser Otway (Orient line) was torpedoed and sunk on July 22 in northern waters. Ten men were killed, the remainder being saved. [Before the war the Otway was a regular trader to Australia, calling at Hobart for apples.]"[12]
Otway was torpedoed and sunk by German U-boatSMUC-49 off the Hebrides on 23 July 1917 during World War I, with the loss of 10 lives.
Related Research Articles
HMS Otranto was an armed merchant cruiser requisitioned by the British Admiralty when World War I began in 1914. Built before the war for the UK–Australia run as SS Otranto, she was primarily used in the war to search for German commerce raiders. She played small roles in the Battle of Coronel in November 1914 when the German East Asia Squadron destroyed the British squadron searching for it and in the Battle of the Falkland Islands the following month when a British squadron annihilated the Germans in turn.
RMS Baltic was an ocean liner of the White Star Line that sailed between 1904 and 1932. At 23,876 gross register tonnage, she was the world's largest ship until May 1906. She was the third of a quartet of ships, all measuring over 20,000 gross register tons, dubbed The Big Four, the other three being RMS Celtic, RMS Cedric, and RMS Adriatic.
SS Kaiser Wilhelm II was a Norddeutscher Lloyd (NDL) Kaiser-class ocean liner. She was launched in 1902 in Stettin, Germany. In the First World War she was laid up in New York from 1914 until 1917, when the US Government seized her and renamed her USS Agamemnon. In 1919 she was decommissioned from the Navy and laid up. In 1927 she was transferred to the United States Army, who renamed her USAT Monticello. She was scrapped in 1940.
SS Deutschland was a passenger liner built in Stettin and launched on 10 January 1900 for the Hamburg America Line (HAPAG) of Germany. She was officially the second ocean liner to have four funnels on the transatlantic route, the first being Kaiser Wilhelm der Grosse of 1897.
RMS Etruria was a transatlantic ocean liner built by John Elder & Co of Glasgow, Scotland in 1884 for Cunard Line. Etruria and her sister ship Umbria were the last two Cunarders that were fitted with auxiliary sails. Both ships were among the fastest and largest liners then in service. Etruria was completed in March 1885, twelve weeks after Umbria, and entered service on the Liverpool – New York route.
RMS Lucania was a British ocean liner owned by the Cunard Steamship Line Shipping Company, built by Fairfield Shipbuilding and Engineering Company of Govan, Scotland, and launched on Thursday, 2 February 1893.
RMS Carpathia was a Cunard Line transatlantic passenger steamship built by Swan Hunter & Wigham Richardson in their shipyard in Wallsend, England.
RMS Orion was an ocean liner launched by the Orient Steam Navigation Company in 1934 and retired from the water in 1963 after carrying about 500,000 passengers. A 23,371 ton passenger ship, the Orion was built to carry 486 first class, 653 tourist class passengers and 466 crew from Europe through the Pacific to Australia. The construction of the ship was documented in Paul Rotha's 1935 film Shipyard.
SS Orsova was a steam ocean liner owned by the Orient Steam Navigation Company. She was built by John Brown & Company at Clydebank, Scotland in 1909 to operate a passenger service between London and Australia. Her maiden voyage was 25 June 1909.
SS Orsova, was a British ocean liner, built by Vickers Armstrong in Barrow-in-Furness, England, for the Orient Steam Navigation Company for their Great Britain-to-Australia services via the Suez Canal. She was the final development of the 28,000 ton class which began with the SS Orcades of 1948 and continued with the SS Oronsay of 1951. In 1960, in conjunction with the introduction of the new larger and faster Oriana and Canberra, the fleets of Orient and P&O were combined as P&O-Orient Lines, although the Orient ships retained their corn-coloured hulls and sailed under their own house flag. In 1966, P&O acquired the balance of the Orient shares and the Orient Line was discontinued, with Orsova and her fleet mates being transferred to the ownership of the Peninsular & Oriental Steam Navigation Company (P&O), painted white and under the P&O houseflag.
SS Noordam was a steam ocean liner that was launched in Ireland in 1901 and scrapped in the Netherlands in 1928–29. Holland America Line owned her throughout her career. From 1923 to 1924 Swedish American Line chartered her and renamed her Kungsholm.
RMS Magdalena was a British steamship that was built in 1889 as a Royal Mail Ship and ocean liner for the Royal Mail Steam Packet Company. In the First World War she served as the troop ship HMT Magdalena. After a long and successful civilian and military career she was scrapped in 1923.
RMS Otranto was an ocean liner that was built for the Orient Steam Navigation Company in 1925. The "RMS" prefix stands for Royal Mail Ship, as she carried overseas mail under a contract between Orient Line and Royal Mail. Otranto was in service until 1957, when she was sold for scrap.
The history of broadcasting in Australia has been shaped for over a century by the problem of communication across long distances, coupled with a strong base in a wealthy society with a deep taste for aural communications in a silent landscape. Australia developed its own system, through its own engineers, manufacturers, retailers, newspapers, entertainment services, and news agencies. The government set up the first radio system, and business interests marginalized the hobbyists and amateurs. The Labor Party was especially interested in radio because it allowed them to bypass the newspapers, which were mostly controlled by the opposition. Both parties agreed on the need for a national system, and in 1932 set up the Australian Broadcasting Commission, as a government agency that was largely separate from political interference.
SS Jan Pieterszoon Coen was a Dutch passenger steamship that was launched in 1914. She was named after a former Governor-General of the Dutch East Indies. During the German invasion of the Netherlands in May 1940 she was scuttled as a blockship in the port of IJmuiden, North Holland to prevent the Kriegsmarine from using the port.
RMS Orontes was a steam ocean liner of the Orient Steam Navigation Company that was launched in 1902 and scrapped in 1925.
SS Osterley was a steam ocean liner owned by the Orient Steam Navigation Company. It was built by the London and Glasgow Shipbuilding Company at Clydebank, Scotland in 1909 for a passenger service between London and Australia via the Suez Canal.
SS Rotterdam was a steam ocean liner that was launched and completed in Ireland in 1908, and scrapped in the Netherlands in 1940. Holland America Line (HAL) owned and operated her throughout her career. She was the fourth of seven HAL ships to have been named after the Dutch city of Rotterdam. Until Statendam entered service in 1929, Rotterdam was the largest and swiftest ship in the company's fleet, and was the company's flagship.
SS Demosthenes was a UK steam ocean liner and refrigerated cargo ship. She was launched in 1911 in Ireland for Aberdeen Line and scrapped in 1931 in England. In the First World War she was an Allied troop ship.
RMS Orama was a British steam ocean liner and Royal Mail Ship. She was launched in 1911 for the Orient Steam Navigation Company. When new, she was the largest liner sailing between Great Britain and Australia.
↑ "MARITIME NEWS". The Herald. No.10, 549. Victoria, Australia. 12 August 1909. p.4. Retrieved 29 March 2018– via National Library of Australia.
↑ Registrar General of Shipping and Seamen (1914). Mercantile Navy List. Board of Trade. p.430. Retrieved 19 January 2021– via Crew List Index Project.
↑ "GENERAL NEWS". The Advertiser. Vol.LII, no.15, 860. South Australia. 17 August 1909. p.6. Retrieved 27 March 2018– via National Library of Australia.
↑ "R.M.S. OTWAY". The Argus (Melbourne). No.19, 778. Victoria, Australia. 9 December 1909. p.6. Retrieved 27 March 2018– via National Library of Australia.
This page is based on this Wikipedia article Text is available under the CC BY-SA 4.0 license; additional terms may apply. Images, videos and audio are available under their respective licenses.
United Kingdom 
