Builders: J Scott & Company Kinghorn 1888
Propulsion type: Paddle, compound diagonal
Owners: General Steam Navigation Co Ltd
Service dates: 1888 - 1912
Tonnage: Gross 484
Comments:
Oriole (the starling) was the third of the five "Classical Birds" built for the General Steam by Scotts. A good looking steamer of well balanced profile, Oriole sailed for the General Steam Navigation Co Ltd from London Bridge to Ramsgate and Great Yarmouth. This interesting view of her shows her alongside the paddle tug Merrimac at Harwich en route to Yarmouth. The return trip to Ramsgate could be made in a day, but that to Yarmouth involved an overnight stop, returning the following day. Oriole later ran from London to Margate and was the last of the Classical Birds to remain with the GSN. Her specifications soon became out of date, as the travelling public demanded better accommodation, and she was withdrawn. In 1912 Oriole was sold to Dutch owners for use as a hulk and was towed from the GSN's Deptford yard to Holland. Her final fate is not recorded.