[1] The Fairfield Shipbuilding and Engineering Company of Govan launched Orontes on 10 May 1902 and completed her that September.

[4] Orontes began her maiden voyage on 24 October 1902, taking mail and passengers from London via the Suez Canal and Melbourne to Sydney.

Mr. Witkiewicz soon abandoned the expedition and returned to Europe, to sign up for military service during the First World War.

After the First World War began, Orontes remained in service on her regular route until October 1916, when the Admiralty requisitioned her.

[clarification needed][6] In 1917, the Admiralty released her to her owners, as her refrigerated hold made her more useful for taking dairy products and meat from Australia to Britain.

[7] In 1919 Orontes resumed her Australia service with calls at Gibraltar, Toulon, Port Said, Colombo, Fremantle, Adelaide, Melbourne, Sydney and an extension to Brisbane.

[2] The upper part of Orontes smoking room was salvaged and installed in the Woodside Hotel, Aberdour.