SS Orcades (1921)

SS Orcades was built in Germany and launched as Prinz Ludwig. Served on routes to Asia until laid up in Germany during the 1914-1918 War. As part of war reparations Prinz Ludwig came under control of the British Shipping Controller in 1919 and was used for troop repatriations to Australia.

Orcades c.1921-1925 formerly Prinz Ludwig
History
Name	Prinz Ludwig (1906) Orcades (1921)
Owner	North German Lloyd 1906–1919 British Shipping Controller 1919–1921 Orient Steam Navigation Company (Orient Line) 1921–1924
Route	Germany-Asia 1906–1914 UK-Australia 1919–1924
Builder	Vulkan SMAE, Stettin, Germany
Launched	12 May 1906
Out of service	20 September 1924
Fate	Broken-up 1925, Bremerhaven, Germany
General characteristics
Tonnage	9,764
Length	150.0 m
Beam	17.7 m
Draught	8.2 m
Installed power	Quadruple expansion engines
Propulsion	Twin screws
Speed	15 knots
Capacity	599 passengers (after 1921 refit)
Notes	Transferred from Germany to the UK under war reparation conditions

Prinz Ludwig was purchased by the Orient Steam Navigation Company (Orient Line) in 1921, underwent refit and was renamed Orcades. The vessel then served on the UK-Australia route until 1924.

Orcades is an ancient name for the Orkney Islands.[1]