SS Ben-my-Chree (1965)

Ben-my-Chree at East Float, Wallasey Docks.
History
Name	Ben-my-Chree
Owner	1966–1984: IOMSPCo.
Operator	1966–1984: IOMSPCo.
Port of registry	Douglas, Isle of Man 1985: Liverpool
Route	Douglas to Liverpool / Dublin / Belfast / Ardrossan / Fleetwood / Heysham.
Ordered	1964
Builder	Cammell Laird
Cost	£1,400,000 (£34,238,901 in 2023).[1]
Yard number	1320
Launched	Friday, 10 December 1965
Maiden voyage	12 May 1966
Out of service	September 1984 (Re-chartered May 1985. Finally laid up June 1985)
Identification	IMO number: 6602707[2] Official Number 186355 Code Letters G R X Y [3]
Nickname(s)	"The Ben"
Fate	Scrapped at Santander, Spain, 1989
General characteristics
Type	Car Ferry
Tonnage	2,762 gross register tons (GRT)
Length	325 ft 0 in (99.1 m)
Beam	50 ft 0 in (15.2 m)
Draught	12 ft 6 in (3.8 m)
Depth	18 ft 0 in (5.5 m)
Decks	6
Deck clearance	8 ft 0 in (2.4 m) with a clear height of 7 ft 2 in (2.2 m) on the car deck and ramps
Ramps	Side loading spiral ramps over 5 levels
Installed power	9,500 shp (7,100 kW)
Propulsion	Twin fixed 3 bladed screws Pametrada geared turbines developing 9,500 shp (7,100 kW)
Speed	21 knots (24 mph)
Capacity	1400 passengers 80 cars or light vans
Crew	60

TSS (RMS) Ben-my-Chree (V) was the second of four side-loading car ferries ordered by the Isle of Man Steam Packet Company. Built in 1965, she was the last of their vessels designed with two classes of passenger accommodation and the fifth company vessel to bear the name. She operated until 1984 and was broken up in 1989. Fitted with steam turbines, she was the last steam powered vessel built for the Isle of Man Steam Packet Company.