RMS Osterley
From Our Contribution
 c1910 John Oxley Library, Queensland | |
 Victorian State Library - Green Collection | |
| History | |
|---|---|
| Name | RMS Osterley |
| Owner | Orient Steam Navigation Co. Ltd., Glasgow |
| Builder | London & Glasgow Eng. & Iron Sbldg. Co. Ltd., Govan |
| Yard number | 333 |
| Launched | 26 Jan 1909 |
| Completed | 1909 |
| In service | 1909 |
| Out of service | 1930 |
| Fate | broken up 1930 |
| General characteristics | |
| Type | Passenger vessel |
| Tonnage | 12,129 ton |
| Length | 535.0 ft (163.1 m) |
| Beam | 63.2 ft (19.3 m) |
| Depth | 34.1 ft (10.4 m) |
| Propulsion | twin screw |
| Speed | 18 knots (33.334 km/h) |
| Capacity | 1,310 passengers (280 x 1st, 130 x 2nd, 900 x 3rd) |
Contents
Remarks
Built for the Orient Line, it was operated by the Orient Steam Navigation Co. Ltd on the United Kingdom to Australia service as part of a Mail service agreement with the Commonwealth. An attempt to launch her on 21 Jan 1909 was thwarted by frost, but a second attempt on 26 Jan 1909 was successful. Mechanical problems were to dog her innauguaral voyage to Australia, with repairs required at Plymouth, Port Said and in the Red Sea. Her insulated holds provided for about 2,500 tons of perishable produce.
During World War I the Osterley was used as a troopship by the Australian Imperial Force (AIF). After her final sailing as a troop ship in 1919, Osterley returned to the Australia service before being sold to P.& W. MacLellan of Glasgow in 1930 for breaking up. She made 59 return journeys to Australia during her lifetime.