Oriana

Due to leave the P & O fleet later this year, 'Oriana' has served the company for 24 years. Captured here in the stillness of a summer morning, just after sunrise. as she makes her stately way to her Southampton berth. She will be sadly missed by those aboard and ashore.

 

Rather more elegant than some of the floating blocks of flats I've seen on my travels latterly.

 

Funny isn't it...she was considered to be quite the opposite when she entered service!

 

Agreed! Canberra was much more pleasing to the eye!

 

Ahh well, that's it...she's gone. Left Soton this morning bound for Piraeus and refitting for her Chinese afterlife as 'MV Piano Land'

This was the last picture I took of her; outbound at Calshot on a dull summer day last year. Farewell old girl you served your company and flag with distinction.

 

We watched it with sadness go by about an hour ago.

 

I don’t suppose the ship’s Engineers and other technical staff will be too sorry to see her go. In my forty years experience as an Engineer in the Merchant Navy a ship of her age becomes a nightmare to operate.

 

Saw her in 1995 by Dartford as entered Thames seemed huge and so smart then, but in comparison to the leviathans I see around the Caribbean islands quite insubstantial.

 

True...still, it gets them out of the control room to do some work! (My Dekkie chums would love that comment)

 

I can remember this Old Lady arriving in Auckland on her maiden voyage.1960ish.

 

She was much better in plain white with off beige / mustard stack! Taken in August 2010 departing Southampton.

 

Proper P&O colours. I'm told the new name 'Piano Land' is a nod to her history...ie Pi & O. Personally I think it sounds like a musical instrument mega-store!

 

Those of us who have worked for P& O often thought we were in La La Land!

 

Don’t suppose there’s room for her at Toddington to display alongside 35006.

 

Whilst on the subject of older ships and a steam driven one at that, SS Shieldhall going past Ryde Pierhead a few moments ago

 

Bugga just missed her, I was on the slightly late 1640 ex Pompey cat

 

She made it to Piraeus. Be interesting to see what she looks like after her re-fit

 

I will have sailed with some of your erstwhile shipmates then, Martin. Several of them were to be found on the Gibsons fleet on occasion.

Mark