Orient Liner Oronsay

Dominion, Volume 28, Issue 81, 29 December 1934, Page 13

Orient Liner Oronsay

Sir. —In the article by “Fairlead” in your issue of to-day appears the statement that “with the exception of the Ophir, which came as a Royal yacht in 1901, she (Oronsay) is the first ship of this famous and old-established line to visit New Zealand.”

This is not correct as during the year 1918 two vessels of this line—the Osterley and Orontes—visited Wellington. This may be verified by the port authorities, although I personally checked the names this morning.—I am, etc., ACCURACY. Wellington, December 28.

[“Fairlead” writes: “I am obliged for the correction. I had already ascertained from the harbour authorities that the Osterley called at Wellington in May, 1918, and that the Orontes was here from June 10 to 12, 1918. Both ships were carrying Australian troops from Sydney to England, those on board the Orontes including the ‘sportsmen’s thousand.’ I have also been informed that the Orient—the first steamer built for the Orient Line—called at Wellington in 1902 with New Zealand soldiers returning from the South African War. The Orama passed Wellington on her way from Chile to docking during the war.”]