24,377 grt; 7,427 dwt; 1,607 passengers
Operator: Achille Lauro, Naples Italy.
Built 1939 by Nederlandsche Scheepsbouw Mij, Amsterdam. Yard no. 270.
Propulsion: triple-screw with 3 x Sulzer 12SDT76 of 37,525 bhp (total). Speed: 21.5 knots.
Delivered 1st July 1939 to Stoomvaart Maatschappij Nederland, Amsterdam as ORANJE. Maiden voyage 4th August 1939 from Amsterdam to Batavia (Jakarta), Indonesia.
1939-(December) laid-up in Sourabaya (due to outbreak of war).
1941-moved to Sydney and fitted-out as a hospital ship for the Royal Australian Navy. Continued to fly the Dutch flag.
1946-returned to Amsterdam-Batavia service.
1950-first voyage on service Amsterdam-Panama-Auckland-Sydney-Singapore-Suez-Amsterdam.
1964-sold to Achille Lauro, Rome, Italy. Rebuilt by Cantieri del Tirreno, Genoa and renamed ANGELINA LAURO. Six killed when fire broke out during rebuild.
1966-first voyage after rebuild from Bremerhaven to Wellington.
1972-transferred to cruising.
1976-laid up in La Spezia
1977-chartered to Costa Cruises, renamed ANGELINA.
1979-total loss after fire 30/3 at Charlotte Amalie, St Thomas. Wreck sank in tow 11.43.30N/121.42.36W 24.9.79.
Photo: Tilbury Landing Stage circa 1975.