SS Taroona
Taroona, c. 1951
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| History | |
|---|---|
| Australia | |
| Name: | Taroona |
| Namesake: | Taroona, Tasmania |
| Owner: | Tasmanian Steamers Pty Ltd |
| Builder: | Alexander Stephen & Sons, Glasgow |
| Yard number: | 543 |
| Launched: | 22 November 1934 |
| Completed: | January 1935 |
| Out of service: | 1959 |
| Greece | |
| Name: | Hellas |
| Owner: | Typaldos Line |
| Acquired: | 1959 |
| Fate: | scrapped at Aliağa in 1989 |
| General characteristics | |
| Tonnage: | 4325 grt |
| Length: | 354 feet 7 inches (108.08 m) |
| Beam: | 50 feet 1 inch (15.27 m) |
| Draught: | 15 feet 1 inch (4.60 m) |
| Propulsion: | 6 steam turbines single reduction geared to 2 screw shafts 6000shp. 3 water tube boilers fitted to burn oil |
| Speed: | 16 knots, top speed 18 knots |
SS Taroona was an Australian transport ship, built in Linthouse, a district of Glasgow, in 1934 by Alexander Stephen & Sons for the Tasmanian Steamers Pty Ltd. She was a steam turbine ship capable of 18 knots, but typically operated at 16 knots for better fuel economy. Taroona commenced service in Bass Strait in 1935 for Tasmanian Steamers Pty Ltd. She served the Melbourne – Beauty Point – Melbourne – Devonport – Burnie then back to Melbourne route.
Taroona was requisitioned for service as a troop ship in World War II by New Zealand. She carried troops from Auckland, New Zealand to Suva in January 1942, and in March 1942. On her return to the Bass Strait run she was almost immediately again requisitioned this time by Australia and taken over as a fast troop carrier. During her first trip to Port Moresby she carried 480 troops and supplies; on leaving Moresby she ran aground on a reef at the entrance where she remained for three days, helpless hard and fast aground. All attempts to refloat her using both engines and the assistance of navy vessels proved useless. The situation became serious when on several occasions Japanese bombers swept in to attack the Seven Mile Aerodrome outside Port Moresby. Why they failed to attack Taroona remains a mystery. Finally aided by three naval vessels, she shook herself free.
In her war time career she travelled 204,535 miles and carried 93,432 troops. Although frequently under fire during her ninety-four trips she remained unscathed.
Taroona arrived in Sydney 4 February 1946, ending her career as an Australian troop carrier. She was handed back to Tasmanian Steamers and joined the SS Nairana who had maintained a very busy schedule during Taroona’s absence including transporting troops from Tasmania to Melbourne.
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