S.S. Himalaya Souvenir Mini Lifebuoy - 1969

The Himalaya was launched for Peninsular and Oriental Steam Navigation Company in 1948 and operated 1949-1961 for P&O Lines, then 1961-1966 P&O-Orient Lines and 1966-1974 P&O Lines, operating mainly between Britain and Australia. She was withdrawn from service in 1974 and scrapped the next year. Himalaya was built at Barrow-in-Furness by Vickers-Armstrongs and launched 5 October 1948. She had an identical hull and machinery to Orient Lines Orcades though differing in superstructure and internal layout. She began her service on the Tilbury-Bombay-Australia route in 1949. This souvenir lifebuoy measures 5 1/2" in diameter.