SS (RMS) ''Ben-my-Chree'' (I) No. 21922 was an iron paddle-steamer which served with the

Isle of Man Steam Packet Company The Isle of Man Steam Packet Company Limited (abbreviated to IoMSPCo or, locally, The Steam Packet ()) is the oldest continuously operating passenger shipping company in the world, having been founded in 1830. The company provides freight, p ...

, and was the first vessel in the company to bear the name.

Dimensions

''Ben-my-Chree'' had a registered tonnage of 458. However, in the company's Fleet List it was recorded as 399. Length 151'9"; beam 23'; depth 12'5"; speed (approximately) 9 knots.

Construction and service life

''Ben-my-Chree'' was built by

Robert Napier and Sons Messrs Robert Napier and Sons was a famous firm of Clyde shipbuilders and marine engineers at Govan, Glasgow founded by Robert Napier in 1826. It was moved to Govan for more space in 1841. His sons James and John were taken into partnership in ...

in Glasgow in 1845 for £11,500. ''Ben-my-Chree''s engine was taken from another Company ship, the ''Queen of the Isle'' before that vessel was sold and converted to a full-rig sailing ship. The speed of ''Ben-my-Chree'' is not recorded, but Napier's engine had produced a speed of 9 knots in the earlier ship. It is also recorded that while the first registration of the ''Ben-my-Chree'' gives her tonnage as , the company's Fleet List and other sources give it as . Boiler pressure had increased slightly in the 13 years since the start of the Steam Packet Company, and this vessel's was . ''Ben-my-Chree'' has the distinction of being the first iron-built vessel in the Steam Packet Fleet.

Disposal and subsequent fate

After 15 years service, ''Ben-my-Chree'' was disposed of by the Company in 1860. She was sent to

Leith Leith (; ) is a port area in the north of Edinburgh, Scotland, founded at the mouth of the Water of Leith and is home to the Port of Leith. The earliest surviving historical references are in the royal charter authorising the construction of ...

, Scotland, and sold by Tod and McGregor for £1,200 (equivalent to £ in ) to the African Steamship Company. After many years service, she was reported to be lying a

hulk The Hulk is a superhero appearing in American comic books published by Marvel Comics. Created by writer Stan Lee and artist Jack Kirby, the character first appeared in the debut issue of ''The Incredible Hulk (comic book), The Incredible Hulk ...

on the

Bonny River Bonny River is a river in Rivers State, Nigeria. Water taxis that move along the river provide the connection between Bonny Island and Port Harcourt, the capital of Rivers State, which lies alongside the river. It is also an arm of the Niger Ri ...

West Africa West Africa, also known as Western Africa, is the westernmost region of Africa. The United Nations geoscheme for Africa#Western Africa, United Nations defines Western Africa as the 16 countries of Benin, Burkina Faso, Cape Verde, The Gambia, Gha ...

, 85 years after her launching.Fred Henry. ''Ships of the Isle of Man Steam Packet Company (1977 p.65)''

References

{{DEFAULTSORT:Ben-my-Chree (1845) Ships of the Isle of Man Steam Packet Company 1845 ships Ferries of the Isle of Man Passenger ships of the United Kingdom Steamships of the United Kingdom Paddle steamers of the United Kingdom Merchant ships of the United Kingdom Ships built on the River Clyde