SS Ben-my-Chree (1927)
Ben-my-Chree
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| History | |
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 Canada
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| Name: | Ben-my-Chree |
| Owner: | 1927–1965: IOMSPCo. |
| Operator: | 1927–1965: IOMSPCo. |
| Port of registry: | Douglas, Isle of Man |
| Builder: | Cammell Laird |
| Cost: | £200,000 |
| Yard number: | 926 |
| Laid down: | November 1926 |
| Launched: | 5 April 1927 |
| Maiden voyage: | 29 June 1927 |
| In service: | July 1927 |
| Out of service: | 13 September 1965 |
| Homeport: | Douglas |
| Identification: |
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| Nickname(s): | The Ben |
| Fate: | Sold to Van Heyghen Freres of Antwerp. Taken under tow by tug Fairplay XI from Birkenhead Saturday 18 December 1965. Arrived at Bruges 23 December; for breaking. |
| General characteristics | |
| Class and type: | Passenger Steamer |
| Tonnage: | 2,586 gross tons |
| Length: | 355 ft 0 in (108.2 m) |
| Beam: | 46 ft 0 in (14.0 m) |
| Depth: | 18 ft 6 in (5.6 m) |
| Propulsion: | 2 × Parson's single-reduction geared turbines, working at 220 pounds per square inch (1,500 kPa), developing 10,300 shp (7,700 kW) |
| Speed: | 22.5 knots (25.9 mph) |
| Capacity: |
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| Crew: | 82 |
TSS (RMS) Ben-my-Chree (IV) No. 145304 – the fourth vessel in the company's history to be so named – was a passenger ferry operated by the Isle of Man Steam Packet Company between 1927 and 1965.
Ben-my-Chree was built in 1927 at the Cammell Laird shipyard, Birkenhead. She was the first steamer built after World War I for the Steam Packet Co.
Upon the ordering of the vessel by the Steam Packet, a contracted cost of £185,000 was agreed. However, early construction was then held up by the long coal strike of 1926. Steel had to be purchased from Continental sources, and her keel was not laid until November of that year.
Ben-my-Chree had a displacement of 2,586 GRT; length 355 feet; beam 46 feet; depth 18'6"; speed 22.5–24.5 knots. She was certified for a crew complement of 82, and had a passenger capacity of 2,586.
The first vessel in the history of the line to be constructed as an oil burner, she was fitted with two single-reduction geared turbines by Parson's developing a total shaft horsepower of 10,300 shp (7,700 kW), with her working boiler pressure at 220 p.s.i.
Construction of the Ben-my-Chree was plagued by industrial disputes. Her builders were granted extra payments to meet overtime costs, and promised a bonus of £2,000 if they met a delivery date of 25 June 1927. Cammell Laird's met this deadline, with "The Ben" launched on 5 April 1927, and completing her trials on 20 June; making her maiden voyage on Wednesday, 29 June.
The Steam Packet Company, very satisfied with the vessel, paid £192,000, including various extras and then agreed to round up the figure to £200,000 which remained the final cost to the company.
Upon entering service, the Ben-my-Chree was widely met with high acclaim; her promenade and shade decks were partially enclosed with glass screening.
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