SS Orbita
Encyclopedia
Orbita was an ocean liner
built in 1913-14 by Harland & Wolff in Belfast
for the Pacific Steam Navigation Company
. She was launched from Harland & Wolff ship-yard, on Tuesday the 7th of July 1914 at 1115 GMT. Her sister ships were the SS Orduna
and SS Orca.
She provided transatlantic passenger transport, measured approximately 15,500 gross tons
, and was 550.3 ft x 67.3 ft.
's United Kingdom
- New York
service. In 1923 she was transferred to Royal Mail ownership, remaining with them for three years before reverting to the Pacific Steam Navigation Company.
Between 1946 and 1950 the Orbita was used as a troopship and to transport immigrants to Australia and New Zealand. The Orbita was a ship that is an important part of the history of multiracialism in the United Kingdom, arriving with the second group of immigrants from the West Indies (after the Empire Windrush). The passengers were part of the first large group of West Indian immigrants to the UK after the Second World War.
Ocean liner
An ocean liner is a ship designed to transport people from one seaport to another along regular long-distance maritime routes according to a schedule. Liners may also carry cargo or mail, and may sometimes be used for other purposes .Cargo vessels running to a schedule are sometimes referred to as...
built in 1913-14 by Harland & Wolff in Belfast
Belfast
Belfast is the capital of and largest city in Northern Ireland. By population, it is the 14th biggest city in the United Kingdom and second biggest on the island of Ireland . It is the seat of the devolved government and legislative Northern Ireland Assembly...
for the Pacific Steam Navigation Company
Pacific Steam Navigation Company
The Pacific Steam Navigation Company was a commercial shipping company that operated in the Pacific coast of South America, and was the first to use steam ships for commercial traffic in the Pacific Ocean.-History:...
. She was launched from Harland & Wolff ship-yard, on Tuesday the 7th of July 1914 at 1115 GMT. Her sister ships were the SS Orduna
SS Orduna
SS Orduna was an ocean liner built in 1913-14 by Harland & Wolff in Belfast for the Pacific Steam Navigation Company. After two voyages she was chartered to Cunard Line. In 1921 she went to the Royal Mail Steam Packet Company, then being resold to the PSNCo in 1926...
and SS Orca.
She provided transatlantic passenger transport, measured approximately 15,500 gross tons
Tonnage
Tonnage is a measure of the size or cargo carrying capacity of a ship. The term derives from the taxation paid on tuns or casks of wine, and was later used in reference to the weight of a ship's cargo; however, in modern maritime usage, "tonnage" specifically refers to a calculation of the volume...
, and was 550.3 ft x 67.3 ft.
History
From 1921 to 1923 the Orbita was chartered to operate the Royal MailRoyal Mail
Royal Mail is the government-owned postal service in the United Kingdom. Royal Mail Holdings plc owns Royal Mail Group Limited, which in turn operates the brands Royal Mail and Parcelforce Worldwide...
's United Kingdom
United Kingdom
The United Kingdom of Great Britain and Northern IrelandIn the United Kingdom and Dependencies, other languages have been officially recognised as legitimate autochthonous languages under the European Charter for Regional or Minority Languages...
- New York
New York
New York is a state in the Northeastern region of the United States. It is the nation's third most populous state. New York is bordered by New Jersey and Pennsylvania to the south, and by Connecticut, Massachusetts and Vermont to the east...
service. In 1923 she was transferred to Royal Mail ownership, remaining with them for three years before reverting to the Pacific Steam Navigation Company.
Between 1946 and 1950 the Orbita was used as a troopship and to transport immigrants to Australia and New Zealand. The Orbita was a ship that is an important part of the history of multiracialism in the United Kingdom, arriving with the second group of immigrants from the West Indies (after the Empire Windrush). The passengers were part of the first large group of West Indian immigrants to the UK after the Second World War.