OTRANTO 1912
The OTRANTO of 1912 was a 12,124 gross ton ship, length 535.3ft x beam 64ft, two funnels, two masts, twin screw and a speed of 18 knots. There was passenger accommodation for 280-1st, 130-2nd and 900-3rd class and she carried a crew of 350. Built by Workman, Clark, Belfast in 1909 for the Orient Steam Navigation Co, she sailed from London on 1st Oct.1909 on her maiden voyage to Suez, Melbourne, Sydney and Brisbane. In 1914 she was converted into an Armed Merchant Cruiser and on 6th Oct.1918 she was wrecked at Islay after colliding with the P&O ship KASHMIR. [Merchant Fleets by Duncan Haws, vol.1, P&O, Orient and Blue Anchor Lines]
OTRANTO 1926
The OTRANTO was a 20,026 gross ton ship, length 192,63m x beam 22,91m, two funnels, two masts, twin screw and a speed of 18 knots. Accommodation for 572-1st and 1,114-3rd class passengers. Built by Vickers-Armstrong, Barrow-in-Furness, she was launched for Orient Line (which had come under the control of P&O Line in 1919) and her maiden voyage from London (Tilbury) to Brisbane started on 9th Jan.1926. In 1939 she was fitted as a troopship and in 1942 became an assault ship and took part in the North African, Sicilian and Italian landings. Refitted to carry 1,412-tourist class passengers and overhauled in 1948-49, she resumed Australia sailings on 14th Jul.1949 when she sailed from London for Sydney and continued this service until starting her last voyage to Australia via Capetown on 13th Feb.1957. She was then scrapped at Faslane, Scotland. [Merchant Fleets by Duncan Haws, vol.1, P&O, Orient and Blue Anchor Lines] [Great Passenger Ships of the World by Arnold Kludas, vol.3]