ORIENT LINERS SUNK

Southland Times, Issue 25549, 18 December 1944, Page 5

ORIENT LINERS SUNK

ATTACKS BY ENEMY SUBMARINES (Rec. 7 p.m.) LONDON, December 16. How the Orient Line lost three of its liners by enemy action, one of them the newest in its fleet, has been revealed by the company. Separate U-boat attacks, within 48 hours, off the west coast of Africa more than two years ago sank the Oronsay and the Orcades, of 20,000 and 23,500 tons respectively. They were serving as troopships several hundred miles apart. On a pitch-black, drizzling morning, with a heavy swell running, the Oronsay was struck by a torpedo. First light revealed the extent of the damage and Captain Savage ordered the boats to be lowered. While this was being done a second torpedo struck the ship, launched from a submarine which throughout the attack remained unseen. British ships picked up the main party of survivors, but a French naval vessel rescued one boatload. They were treated with great kindness by the French until put ashore at Dakar where, because of German pressure on _ the French authorities, they were strictly interned until the Allied landing in North Africa brought their release. The morning after the sinking of the Oronsay, her larger sister, the Orcades, was struck by a torpedo while sailing alone some hundreds of miles south. There were more than 1000 troops and civilians on board. Although down by the. head, the Orcades, the newest ship in the Orient fleet, remained on an even keel and was in no immediate danger of sinking. The second torpedo struck the ship and Captain Fox ordered the passengers to the boats. Fifty-five members of the crew remained on board until holds were three-quarters full of water. The Captain swam to a raft in time to see the ship disappear under the waves. A Polish vessel, the Narwik, picked up the survivors and the Polish crew of only 50 tended and fed more than 1000 survivors. The Orama was hastily impressed into service as troop carrier during the evacuation of Narvik and was sunk by part of the German battle fleet in the North Sea in May 1940 in somewhat unique circumstances. She became involved while alone on patrol with an enemy force, any vessel of which was able to pump shells into her at a range beyond that at which she could reply. The German surface attackers finally closed in' and 219 of the crew were taken prisoners after 20 had been killed in action. Captain Savage and Captain Fox were awarded the C.B.E for their courage and leadership. Captain Fox also was awarded Lloyds war medal for bravery at sea.