Tasmanian Steamers
An amalgam of the Bass Strait ferry fleets of Huddart Parker and Union Steamship Company of New Zealand, this organization came into existence on 1 January 1922. During the Great War, its Nairana had operated under requisition by the Royal Navy in 1917, converted to a seaplane carrier.
The company was operating two ships as the Second World War opened:
Ship |
Built |
Gross Tons |
In Service |
Nairana | 1915 | 3042 | 1921-1948 |
Taroona | 1934 | 4297 | 1935-1959 |
With Nairana left to operate the Bass Strait service through most of the war years, Taroona was requisitioned in January 1942 for service as a troopship throughout the war, initially under the New Zealand Naval Board.