Model of “Orion”

Manawatu Times, Volume 61, Issue 145, 22 June 1936, Page 8

Model of “Orion”

ON EXHIBITION AT PALMERSTON

NORTH

A unique exhibit at the Manawatu and West Coast A. and P. Association’s show this year is a magnificont model of tho Orient liner Orion, which attracted much attention at Wellington. The model, which is the largest ever seen in New Zealand, is mounted in a glass case measuring 15ft. 6in. in length by 6ft. in height and 3ft. 6in. in width, the whole exhibit weighing over a ton. A remarkably fine .specimen of tho handicraft of the specialists who constructed it, the model, built to scale, iB complete in every external detail of the ship and is superbly finished.

Tho Orion, which normally runs between London and Australia, via Suez, will visit Wellington on October 31 in the course of a cruise from Australia. She is the latest addition to tho fleet of the Orient Line, and was completed last August. Built by Vickers-Arm-strong, Ltd., at Barrow-in-Eurness, the ship was launched by wireless by the Duke of Gloucester, who was in Brisbane at the time. The ship is of 23,371 tons gross register, measures 665 feet in length and 84 feet extreme breadth. She has accommodation for a total of 486 first-class and 653 tourist class jmssengers, and carries a crew of 466. Propelled by twin screws driven by single-reduction geared turbines, the ship has a speed of 2.1 knots. Striking features of the Orion are her single mast, her one huge funnel, and her colour scheme, the hull being corncoloured, with whito superstructure and a vivid green boot-topping.