SS Orcades was built in Germany from 1903 and launched as Prinz Ludwig.

She served on routes to South America until laid up in Germany during the 1914-1918 War.

[2] At the war’s conclusion, there were countless thousands of Australian soldiers to be repatriated from Europe and she made several voyages to Australia in this role.

Late in 1920 the Prinz Ludwig was laid up awaiting her next role, which came quickly for Orient Line was looking for ships.

Upon her return she was placed on the market and the Orcades was laid up but was sold in due course and broken up at Bremerhaven Germany in 1925.