Laid down in 1944 as a navy transport of the P2-SE2-R1 type under hull No. 687 by the Bethlehem-Alamada Shipyard Inc., Alameda, California for the US Government.
Intended name USS ADMIRAL R.B.UPHAM.
The end of World War II canceled the order while the ship was still incomplete.
She was then chartered by the American President Lines and completed as a luxury liner.
24 November 1946 launched under the name PRESIDENT WILSON.
Tonnage 15.359 grt, 7.715 nrt, 10.431 dwt., dim. 609.6 x 75.7 x 30.1ft. (draught).
Powered by two turbo-electric engines from General Electric Co. 20.000 shp., speed 19 knots, twin screws.
Passenger accommodation for 324 first, 454 tourist class passengers, crew 340.
April 1948 completed under yard No. 9510.
27 April 1948 she sailed for her maiden voyage from San Francisco via Honolulu, Yokohama, Hong Kong to Manila.
1954 The PRESIDENT WILSON was bought from the USA Government by the American President Line.
1960 Modernized and the tonnage thereafter was 14.446 gross. Passenger accommodation for 379 first and 380 economy class passengers.
When in the sixties the passengers more and more took the airplane, the owners sold some of their passenger’s vessels, or put the vessels in different services.
The PRESIDENT WILSON made then cruise voyages to Alaska, Hawaii and the Mediterranean.
Sold January 1973 after her Presidential World Cruise in April 1964 delivered to Transocean Lines Ltd. Panama (Tung group in Hong Kong), renamed ORIENTAL EMPRESS.
First used in the transpacific service but already in January 1974 laid up at Hong Kong.
July 1974 she made a few voyages in Far Eastern waters.
11 September 1975 laid up at Hong Kong. The same date transferred to the Oceanic Cruise Development Inc.
She was driven aground 09 September 1983 by typhoon Ellen at Hong Kong where she had been laid up since 11 September 1975. She was refloated 13 September 1983.
1984 Sold to Loy Kee Shipbreakers & Transportation Co. Ltd. in Hong Kong for scrapping.
Her demolition was in progress by this shipbreaker in September 1984.
Stanley Gibbons, collect ships on stamps, gives her name as ORIENTAL EMPRESS, but I doubt that she has been under that name in Qatar, anyhow the stamp was issued in 1970 before she was renamed in ORIENTAL EMPRESS.
Qatar 1970 2d sg 308, scott 197.
Marine News 1983/620, 1984/283,698. U.S. Passenger Liners since 1945 by Milton H Watson.
From America to United States by L A Sawyer and W H Mitchell.