Tasmanian Steamers

Tasmanian Steamers Proprietary Limited^[1] was a company that operated passenger ferries across the Bass Strait from 1921 to 1959. Union Company and Huddart Parker each owned 50%.^[2][3]

Loongana, built in 1904 and scrapped in 1934

Taroona, built in 1935, sold in 1959 and scrapped in 1989

History

Nairana, built in 1914–17 and scrapped in 1953–54

Tasmanian Steamers was established on 22 December 1921. Its ships experienced many difficulties over the next nearly four decades of operations; Amidst the ongoing World War II, some of its ships were encountering intermittent attacks whilst at sea, having already witnessed World War I. During the latter, one of its ships, Taroona, was an Australian troopship, and also serving in the same capacity with New Zealand for a brief time.

The company ceased passenger operations in 1959 after the Australian National Line purchased its assets.^[3]

Fleet

• Oonah
• Loongana
• Nairana
• Taroona
• Tatana

Streets in the Burnie suburbs of Shorewell Park and Malonga Park are named after the fleet.