ORIANA's link to the past

Hanging on the wall of the captains lounge is the oldest item on board ORIANA, the ship's plaque.

Originally from the entrance of SS Oriana of 1960 this plaque was the idea of Sir Colin Anderson a director of both P&O and its subsidiary Orient Line.

A historic name Oriana had once been used to describe Elizabeth Tudor better known to the world as Queen Elizabeth I, it was this where Sir Colin's idea for the plaque came from.

The plaque was designed and executed in metal by renowned designer Milner Gray who working from Sir Colin's brief used the design of two letter Es back to back within a large O representing the 2 Elizabeth's and two classical Neptune styled figures to add a nautical feel to the it.
After the ship's retirement in 1986 the plaque was removed and placed into storage by P&O.
During the later part of the ORIANA's fitting out it was decided this plaque should be somewhere on board the liner. It was found and restored to its former condition.
Although rarely seen by passengers it is never the less appreciated that ORIANA honours her namesake by having this history on board.
Long live the name and the ship Oriana!
Photos copyright P&O Cruises.