SS Orbita Archival Collection
Orbita (1915) Royal Mail Line (British)
Built by Harlana & Wolff, Ltd., Belfast, Ireland. Tonnage: 15,495. Dimensions: 550' x 67' (569' o.L). Triple-screw, 15 knots. Triple expansion engines and one low steam turbine. Two masts and one funnel. Passengers: 190 first, 221 second, 476 third. First voyage : Hamburg-Southampton-Cherbourg-New York, April 30, 1921. Service: Employed in the North Atlantic passenger service 1921-1926. Returned to Pacific Steam Navigation Company. Fate: Scrapped in 1950. Sister ships: Orca and Orduna.
1921-06 RMSP New York Service - First and Second Class
Superb brochure from 1921 documents with many extraordinary photographs of the first and second class interiors of the Royal Mail Steam Packet Company ocean liners plying from Europe to New York. Featured Ships: Orduna, Orbita, and Oropesa.
1921-10-22 SS Orbita Passenger List
- Steamship Line: Royal Mail Steam Packet Company (R.M.S.P.)
- Class of Passengers: First and Second Class
- Date of Departure: 22 October 1921
- Route: Hamburg to New York via Cherbourg and Southampton
- Commander: Captain J. E. P. Matthews
1922-03-31 SS Orbita Passenger List
- Steamship Line: The Royal Mail Steam Packet Company (RMSP)
- Class of Passengers: Cabin Class
- Date of Departure: 31 March 1922
- Route: New York to Hamburg via Cherbourg and Southampton
- Commander: Captain J. E. P. Matthews
1923 - RMSP Cabin Liners to Europe
Believed to be one of the earliest brochures produced by the RMSP to promote their newly acquired ships Orbita, Orca, and Orduña, in 1923 provides numerous interior photographs. The ships were only operated by RMSP for 3 years before being resold to the PSNCo in 1926.
1923-08-01 SS Orbita Passenger List
- Steamship Line: Royal Mail Steam Packet Company (R.M.S.P.)
- Class of Passengers: Cabin
- Date of Departure: 1 August 1923
- Route: Hamburg to New York via Southampton and Cherbourg
- Commander: Captain W. H. Parker
1924-07-29 SS Orbita Passenger List
- Steamship Line: Royal Mail Steam Packet Company (R.M.S.P.)
- Class of Passengers: Cabin
- Date of Departure: 29 July 1924
- Route: Hamburg to New York via Southampton and Cherbourg
- Commander: Captain W. H. Parker
1924-10-08 SS Orbita Passenger List
- Steamship Line: Royal Mail Steam Packet Company (R.M.S.P.)
- Class of Passengers: Cabin
- Date of Departure: 8 October 1924
- Route: Hamburg for New York via Southampton and Cherbourg
- Commander: Captain W. H. Parker
First Royal Mail Liner Sails (1921)
The SS Orbita Leaving Pier 42, North River, on 21 May 1921 for Hamburg. GGA Image ID # 14344c3018
Unusual enthusiasm attended the departure of the Royal Mail Liner Orbita, which left for Cherbourg, Southampton, and Hamburg, Saturday, 21 May 1921, the sailing having been witnessed by a large crowd. As the vessel—decorated with flags from stem to stern—steamed down the river, the ship's band played the Star Spangled Banner and other appropriate airs, while two accompanying tugs tooted their whistles in chorus. Moving picture operators and news photographers were on hand to record the scene.
The Orbita sailed with every first- and second-class berth filled. Among the first-class passengers were several members of the Metropolitan Opera Company, including Artur Bodanzky, conductor. and Kathleen Howard, Elizabeth Shortt and Florence Easton, well known singers.
On the eve of the sailing of the Orbita the Royal Mail Steam Packet Company was advised by the British Foreign Office that it had been granted a German emigration license, this information having been received by the New York agents, Sanderson & Son from the London office.
The inaugural dinner, which took place on the Orbita Wednesday evening, May 18, was attended by prominent representatives of local steamship organizations and over two hundred shipping men from all parts of the United States and Canada. Capt. Armonstrong, British Consul, and Lloyd B. Sanderson. who made brief speeches, dealt with the enterprise and progress of the "Royal Mail," and the splendid outlook for its new Atlantic service.
"First Royal Mail Liner Sails," in The Nautical Gazette: An Independent Shipping Weekly, New York: The Nautical Gazette, Inc., Vol. 100, No. 22, Whole No. 2597, 28 May 1921, p. 687.
