SS Otway was a UK steam ocean liner owned by the Orient Line, built by Fairfield Shipbuilding and Engineering Company of Glasgow, Scotland, launched in 1908 and completed in 1909.

Requisitioned by the Royal Navy and deployed as an armed merchant cruiser, Otway was torpedoed and sunk by German U-boat SM UC-49 off the Hebrides on 23 July 1917 in World War I, with the loss of 10 lives.

She was launched on 21 November 1908 from the yards of the Fairfield Shipbuilding and Engineering Company, Ltd, the christening ceremony being performed by Mrs Frederick Green.

The first-class saloons, lounges, lodges and cabins are palatial and luxurious, and the second-saloon passengers find their accommodation in no way less roomy and comfortable, even though it is less highly embellished.

Co. is in no hurry to equip all its liners with "wireless" until the establishment of Australian shore stations admits of practical use being made of the system between sea and land.

In view, however, of the fact that the Otranto was installed with "wireless" before she left London on her present visit to the Commonwealth, it was generally anticipated that the other liners of the fleet would be similarly fitted in turn before their departure for Australia.

This expectation, however, is not being fulfilled, as the Otway, which arrived at Port Melbourne yesterday morning, having left London a fortnight later than the Otranto, is still without a "wireless" apparatus.

It will be remembered that the Otranto made free use of "wireless" on her voyage to Australia, establishing communication with shore stations and liners en route.

During the voyage of the Otranto, for instance, "wireless" exchanges passed between the liner and the Poldhu station, at Cornwall, England until at a distance of 1,500 miles further contact became impossible.

As will be readily understood by those who have experienced the monotony of a sea voyage, items of news received from the land by "wireless" were greatly appreciated by the Otranto's passengers.

The Otway berthed alongside the Port Melbourne Railway Pier early yesterday morning, having experienced a quiet and enjoyable trip from London via the usual stages.

[6] A report of 8 July 1909 was as follows: "The twin-screw steamer Otway, the second of the five liners built for the Orient Steam Navigation Co.'s mail service, ran full-power trials on the Firth of Clyde on 26 May.

[8] On arrival in Adelaide 16 August 1909, the local agent had arranged a special reception aboard Otway for some 200 invited guests: "A special train which left Adelaide for the Outer Harbor on Monday afternoon carried a party of about 200 ladies and gentlemen who had been invited by the Orient Steam Navigation Company to a reception onboard the splendid new mail steamer Otway, which arrived from England on Monday morning.

The guests were received by Mr M. G. Anderson, the Adelaide agent, and Captain F. Symons, R.N.R., the commander, and were shown over the vessel, the luxurious appointments of which were generally admired.

Even the apartments reserved for second class passengers are fitted in a much more, costly fashion than are the best hotels in this city, while the third-class dining saloon is a spacious chamber the full width of the ship, and well lighted from both sides.

The company hospitably entertained the visitors at afternoon tea, and a fine programme of instrumental music, including selections from a number of favorite operas, was rendered by the Otway band.

The special tram left the Outer Harbor at 5 p.m. amid cheers from the steamer's passengers, and not long afterwards the mail boat resumed her voyage to Melbourne.