The SS (RMS) Ben-my-Chree (I) No. 21922 was an innovative iron paddle-steamer built in 1845 by Robert Napier and Sons in Glasgow for the Isle of Man Steam Packet Company. As the first vessel in the company's fleet to be constructed of iron, she marked a significant technological advancement in maritime engineering. The vessel had a registered gross tonnage of either 399 or 458 GRT, according to different sources, with a length of 151 feet 9 inches, a beam of 23 feet, and a depth of 12 feet 5 inches. Her approximate operational speed was around 9 knots, a figure derived from her engine’s performance on the Queen of the Isle, from which her engine was taken before that vessel was sold and converted into a full-rig sailing ship. Ben-my-Chree’s propulsion was powered by a steam engine producing about 20 pounds per square inch of boiler pressure, a modest yet effective force for the period. Her engine’s design and performance reflected the technological standards of the time and contributed to her status as a pioneering iron vessel in the Isle of Man Steam Packet fleet. During her 15-year period of service, Ben-my-Chree served as a reliable paddle-steamer, facilitating maritime transit for the company. In 1860, she was withdrawn from service and sold to the African Steamship Company for £1,200 (equivalent to approximately £142,374 in 2023). She was subsequently reported to have become a hulk on the Bonny River in West Africa, remaining there for many years after her launch—about 85 years later, her remains were still noted in the region. Her historical significance lies in her being the first iron-built vessel for the Steam Packet fleet, representing a key step in the transition from wooden to iron ships in maritime history.

This description has been generated using GPT-4.1-NANO based on the Vessel's wikidata information and then modified by ShipIndex.org staff.