| Name: | TAIROA |
| Type: | Refrigerated Cargo Ship |
| Launched: | 04/02/1920 |
| Completed: | 07/1920 |
| Builder: | Armstrong, Whitworth & Co Ltd |
| Yard: | High Walker |
| Yard Number: | 908 |
| Dimensions: | 7983grt, 5048nrt, 478.0 x 63.2 x 31.2ft |
| Engines: | 2 x Q4cyl (22, 31.5, 45 & 65 x 48ins), 1011nhp |
| Engines by: | North-Eastern Marine Engineering Co Ltd, Wallsend |
| Propulsion: | 2 x Screws, 13.5knots |
| Construction: | Steel |
| Reg Number: | 143569 |
| History: | |
| 03/06/1920 | Shaw, Savill & Albion Co Ltd, Southampton |
| 1936 | Norfolk & North American Steam Shipping Co Ltd, Southampton |
| 03/12/1939 | Sank |
| Comments: | 1920: The first merchantman built at this naval yard |
| 03/12/1939: Damaged and captured by German warship GRAF SPEE | |
| On a voyage from Brisbane to London with a cargo of frozen meat, wool and lead | |
| Scuttled 1300 miles NW of Cape Town after all the crew removed |
Above photo is copyright of A Duncan
Above photo is copyright of the Ernest G Best Collection, State Library NSW
Above photo is copyright of the Alex Wood collection
Above photo is copyright of the Wellington Harbour Board Maritime Museum
Attacked by the GRAF SPEE. Photo courtesy of Roy Muir
Shields Daily News, Thursday, 05/02/1920