Ben-my-Chree (1908)

 

 

This page is devoted to postcards and photographs of the famous Isle of Man Steam Packet Company (IOMSPCo) turbine steamer Ben-my-Chree (3) of 1908.

 

Ben-myChree (3) was even larger and gfaster than the her predecessor the Viking. She was 375 feet long (compared to 350ft), 2550 grt (compared to 1957 grt) and her engines developed 14,500shp (compared to 11,000shp). Her service speed was 24.5 knots, which was exceeded in service. Ben-myChree (3) operated on the main Liverpool-Dougals route until the First War, when she was taken by the Admiralty in 1915 for conversion to a seaplane carrier, forming the prototype for later conversions, including the Viking. The conversion work was done at Cammell Laird, Birkenhead, and mainly consisted of the addition of a large hangar aft. She was also fitted with a dismountable launching platform forward, for seaplanes on trollies. This was not successful, and so was removed. later conversions, starting with Viking, had a flat launching platform forward, to be used by landplanes. She subsequently operated various types of Short and Sopwith floatplanes.

 

Ben-myChree (3) replaced the ex-SECR turbine Empress at Harwich in April 1915, and took part in operations off the German Coast. In June 1912 she replaced the Ark Royal at the Dardenelles, carrying Short Type 184s. On the 12th and 17th August, her Shorts carried out the world's first aerial torpedo attacks. These were successful, but damage caused was not as substantial as claimed at the time. Ben-myChree (3) became the flagship of the East Indies & Egypt Seaplane Sqaudron at Port Said in January 1916, and was active in the area until 9th January 1917, when she was caught by Turkish artillery whilst in the harbour at Castelorizo, and was set on fire and sunk. The wreck was raised in 1921, towed to Piraeus, and subsequently scrapped in Italy. Ben-myChree (3) was the only aviation vessel lost to enemy action in the First War.

 

 

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Ben-my-Chree (3)

 

IOMSPCo: 1908-1917

 

Ben-myChree (3) was even larger and gfaster than the her predecessor the Viking. She was 375 feet long (compared to 350ft), 2550 grt (compared to 1957 grt) and her engines developed 14,500shp (compared to 11,000shp). Her service speed was 24.5 knots, which was exceeded in service. Ben-myChree (3) operated on the main Liverpool-Dougals route until the First War, when she was taken by the Admiralty in 1915 for conversion to a seaplane carrier, forming the prototype for later conversions, including the Viking. Ben-myChree (3) was , caught by Turkish artillery on 9th January 1917, whilst in the harbour at Castelorizo, and was set on fire and sunk. The wreck was raised in 1921, towed to Piraeus, and subsequently scrapped in Italy. Ben-myChree (3) was the only aviation vessel lost to enemy action in the First War.

 

 

Official IOMSPCo postcard of the Ben-myChree (3).

 

Alternative copy postcard of the Ben-myChree (3) card above.

 

Official IOMSPCo postcard of the Ben-myChree (3).

 

 

 

Alternative copy postcard of the Ben-myChree (3) card above.

This is a post-WW1 issue with details of her war record and loss.

 

Enlarged text from the card above.

 

 

 

Official IOMSPCo postcard of the Ben-myChree (3).

 

Alternative copy postcard of the Ben-myChree (3) card above.

 

Official IOMSPCo postcard of the Ben-myChree (3).

 

Official IOMSPCo postcard of the Ben-myChree (3).

 

Postcard of the Ben-myChree (3).

 

Postcard of the Ben-myChree (3).

 

Postcard of the Ben-myChree (3).

 

Postcard of the Ben-myChree (3).

 

Postcard of the Ben-myChree (3).

 

 

 

Official IOMSPCo postcard of the Ben-myChree (3).

This is a post-WW1 issue with details of her war record and loss.

 

Enlarged text from the card above.

 

 

 

S.R.Keig photographic postcard of the Ben-myChree (3).

 

Duncan photographic postcard of the Ben-myChree (3).

 

WSS photographic postcard of the Ben-myChree (3).

 

 

 

 

Duncan photographic postcard of the HMS Ben-myChree (3).

 

IOM stamp showing HMS Ben-myChree (3).

 

 

 

 

 

 

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