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.