THE former Southampton based passenger liner, the 41,900 ton Oriana, that left the city's docks for the last time in 1981, is in danger of sinking after being hit by a violent storm in north-east China.

Gale force winds struck the ageing vessel, now permanently berthed at Xinghai Bay in Dalian where the former P&O Orient ship is a tourist attraction, causing the ship to list dangerously to port and take on a large amount of water raising fears the old Oriana would capsize.

Built by Vickers Armstrong at Barrow, Oriana left on her maiden voyage from Southampton to Sydney, Australia in December, 1960.

FOR MORE SHIPPING NEWS AND INFORMATION, INCLUDING QUEEN MARY 2 AND TITANIC, CLICK THE SHIPPING LINK AT THE TOP OF THIS PAGE.