HMS Ben-my-Chree Seaplane Carrier (1915)
A seaplane launched from the HMS Ben-my-Chree became the first aircraft to deliver a torpedo against a ship.
The profile of the HMS Ben-my-Chree was dominated by two smoke funnels amidships. Masts were located forward and aft of these funnels with the bridge superstructure between the forward funnel and mast. A larger superstructure containing the hangar was fitted aft. The forward upper part of the forecastle was fitted with a fly-off ramp for launching her seaplane fighters. A total of six aircraft could be carried aboard, though four was highly ideal considering the space allowed. Initially, these aircraft centered around the Sopwith Schneider seaplane, finally giving the Allies an offensive naval airborne punch and threatening the general dominance of the German Zeppelins. Soon to follow would be the Short seaplanes which brought about the advent of the torpedo bomber in naval aviation lore. Several such aircraft served in the Dardanelles campaign, sinking two Turkish ships with direct torpedo hits.
Beyond her limited air wing, armament aboard the Ben-my-Chree was generally offensive. This included cannon of various calibers led by the 4 x 12-pounder batteries and 2 x 3-pounder systems installed in the 1915 conversion from a passenger liners. A 1916 refit added additional 12-pounder cannons, 2-pounder "pom-pom" cannons and 3-pounder cannons on their respective towing carriages.
As a vessel of war, the Ben-my-Chree saw combat action in World War 1. Throughout the conflict, she served as a mobile raiding platform, artillery spotter, rescue ship and a direct strike carrier. In February of 1916, the Ben-my-Chree was shortly out of action after it had collided with the SS Uganda, causing serious forward damage to the former. Once back in action, the vessel served her days through bombing raids, more artillery spotting and general reconnaissance of enemy movements. On January 11th, 1917, whilst at anchor in Kastelorgio harbor, the Ben-my-Chree was permanently knocked out of commission by Turkish shore batteries and capsized. Post-war, the hull was brought up and reassessed, eventually being sold for scrap in 1921.
The HMS Ben-my-Chree was laid down by Vickers at Barrow-in-Furness in 1907 (conversion handled by Cammell Laird in Birkenhead) and launched the following year. She was officially commissioned in 1915. The unusual name of "Ben-my-Chree" stems from the Old Irish Manx language and is related to Manx Gaelic, a language spoken on the Isle of Man which was the passenger ferry route the original Ben-my-Chree liner was built for before her acquisition and military conversion by the Royal Navy in 1915. Text ©2003-2013 www.MilitaryFactory.com • All Rights Reserved • No Reproduction Permitted
MilitaryFactory.com does NOT sell equipment/weaponry. Material presented throughout this website is for historical and entertainment value and should not to be construed as usable for hardware restoration, maintenance or general operation. Please consult manufacturers for such information. Our disclaimer. Email corrections / Comments to MilitaryFactory at Gmail dot com.
Specifications for the
HMS Ben-my-Chree
Seaplane Carrier
Country of Origin: United Kingdom
Initial Year of Service: 1915
Operators: the United Kingdom
Crew: 250
Length: 375ft (114.30m)
Beam: 46ft (14.02m)
Draught: 18ft (5.49m)
Displacement: 3,880tons
Machinery: 4 x double-ended cylindrical boilers and 3 x steam turbines powering 3 x screws at 14,000hp.
Surface Speed: 24kts (28mph)
Range: 1,381miles (2,223km)
Armament:
1915:
4 x 12-pdr cannons
2 x 3-pdr cannons
1916 additions:
1 x 12-pdr cannon on carriage mount
1 x 3-pdr cannon on carriage mount
1 x 2-pdr "pom-pom" cannon on carriage mount
Air Arm: 4 x Seaplanes of various makes and types (up to 6 possible)
Ship Class: Ben-my-Chree
Number-in-Class: 1
Ships-in-Class: HMS Ben-my-Chree
BY TYPE:
• Age of Sail
• Aircraft Carriers
• Escort Carriers
• Amphibious
• Amphibious Assault
• Battlecruisers
• Battleships
• Cargo Ships
• Corvettes
• Cruisers
• Destroyers
• Destroyer Escorts
• Dreadnoughts
• Pre-Dreadnoughts
• Personal Watercraft
• Frigates
• Helicopter Carriers
• Ironclads
• Mine Warfare
• Patrol Craft
• Special Forces Watercraft
• Special Purpose
• Submarines
• Steam and Sail Warships
• Torpedo Boats
• VIEW ALL
BATTLESHIPS:
• Battleships
• 2nd Class Battleships
• Pocket Battleships
SUBMARINES:
• Diesel-Electric Submarines
• Ballistic Missile Submarines
• Midget Submarines
• Nuclear Attack Submarines
• VIEW ALL
• VIEW ALL
WORLD WAR 2:
• Aircraft Carriers
• Battleships
• British Warships
• Destroyers
• French Warships
• German Warships
• German U-Boat Submarines
• Italian Warships
• Japanese Warships
• American Warships
• Submarines
• WW2 Warships (ALL)
VIETNAM WAR:
• VIEW ALL
MISCELLANEOUS:
• Battle of Trafalgar
• Civil War Ships
• How Submarines Work
• Modern Aircraft Carriers
• Modern Warships
• United States Navy Carriers
• United States Navy Classification
©2013 www.MilitaryFactory.com • Content ©2003-2013 MilitaryFactory.com • All Rights Reserved • Site Contact Email: militaryfactory at gmail dot com. The "Military Factory" name and MilitaryFactory.com logo are registered ® trademarks and protected by all applicable domestic and international intellectual property laws.
Top MF Stuff: 2013 Military Pay Scale | Military Ranks | WW2 Weapons | Sniper Rifles | Kts to Mph | WW1 Aircraft | Automatic Rifles | Aircraft Cockpits | Vietnam War Weapons | Main Battle Tanks | Submachine Guns | Shotguns | French Military Victories
Most photographic images appearing on this site are courtesy of the United States Department of Defense and are approved for public use. Other images acquired through the public domain. Digital art work courtesy of Dan Alex. Business Consulting by Kyle Williams. Material presented throughout this website is for historical and entertainment value and should not to be construed as usable for hardware restoration, maintenance or general operation. Please consult manufacturers for such information.
