TS Taroona 1935-1989

The Taroona was built for Tasmanian Steamers Proprietary Ltd, a partnership of Huddart Parker Ltd and the Union Steam Ship Company, which had been formed in 1921. It was used for the Melbourne to Tasmania passenger service, which the Union Company had operated since 1891.

The ship served as a troop transport during World War II, and over four years carried 100,000 troops on 100 voyages, mainly in the South West Pacific. When new the Taroona had two funnels but in 1946 these were replaced by one taller funnel, changing her lines and making her similar to the ship Hinemoa. The funnel was painted top half Union Company and bottom half Huddart Parker to reflect the joint ownership.

In 1959, after 24 years of service, the Taroona was replaced by the newly built Australian Government-owned Princess of Tasmania, a roll-on / roll-off car ferry and passenger steamer. The Taroona was sold to Typaldos Lines and renamed the Hellas. It was converted to a cruise ship and operated in the Mediterranean. In 1966 the Hellas was laid up for the winter, but never worked again; following the sinking of another Typaldos Lines ship, the Heraklion, the company was found to be guilty of negligence and dissolved, their fleet being sold off. The Hellas remained laid up until 1989 when it was scrapped.

For related correspondence go here: TS Taroona, correspondence