Sunday History Photo / Tas

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This yea rback on 25 Sep 2009 marked the 50th anniversary of the maiden voyage of M.V. Princess of Tasmania between Melbourne and Devonport, Tasmania. During the 1950s, the Bass Strait crossing between Melbourne and Tasmania was maintained principally by one ship, Taroona, this ship had accommodation for only 400 passengers and space for just 30 cars, which had to be lifted off by cranes. In 1959, Taroona was replaced by Princess of Tasmania - the first drive-on, drive-off vehicular ship in the southern hemisphere. Empress of Australia replaced Princess of Tasmania in 1972. This was followed by Abel Tasman in 1985, Princess of Tasmania made three return crossings of Bass Strait each week.
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M/S Princess of Tasmania was built in September 1959 at NSW Government dock yard, Newcastle, yard number 61. She was built for the Australian National Line to service the Devonport – Melbourne route and was the first RO/RO passenger ship in the southern hemisphere and the biggest in the world at the time she was launched.
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She was sold in 1972. After leaving Tasmania she changed ownership several times and underwent name changes as follows.
Renamed in 1975 (MARINE CRUISER)
Renamed in 1984 (MAJORCA ROSE)
Renamed in 1984 (EQUATOR)
Renamed in 1984 (NOMI)
Renamed in 1985 (ADRIATIC STAR)
Renamed in 1988 (LAMPEDUSA)
Renamed in 1991 (SHAHD FAYEZ)
Renamed in 1992 (AL MAHROUSA)
Renamed in 2000 (TEBAH 2000)
The princess was scrapped as the Tebah 2000 in March 2005 after 46 years of service and 10 names.

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