The TSS (RMS) Ben-my-Chree (V), built in 1965, was a notable side-loading car ferry operated by the Isle of Man Steam Packet Company. Constructed by Cammell Laird at a cost of approximately £1.4 million, she was virtually identical to her sister vessel, Manx Maid. The vessel measured 325 feet in length, with a beam of 50 feet and a draft of 18 feet, providing accommodation for up to 1,400 passengers and a crew of 60. She had a gross tonnage of 2,762 and was powered by steam turbines, developing 9,500 shaft horsepower, with a designed service speed of 21 knots. Ben-my-Chree was the last vessel of the company to be designed with two passenger classes—an arrangement she maintained until early 1967, after which all vessels were converted to a single-class system. She was launched on 10 December 1965 by Mrs. Margaret Brownsdon and entered service on 12 May 1966, primarily operating the Douglas-Liverpool route. Her maiden voyage was marked by a traditional salute from her sister ship, Manx Maid. Her machinery layout was similar to that of Manx Maid, and during her service, she was notable for her steam turbines, the last such vessel built for the company. Throughout her operational life, Ben-my-Chree was recognized for her streamlined design and her role as a profitable "money box" due to her car and van carriage capacity. In 1978, she received modifications including the addition of a bow thruster driven by a steam turbine and the installation of a traditional ship’s whistle from the scrapped Tynwald. She served predominantly during winter seasons and provided an essential link for Isle of Man transport until her retirement. By the early 1980s, rising fuel costs and the inefficiency of steam turbines led to her retirement, with her final voyage under Steam Packet ownership occurring on 19 September 1984. She was briefly chartered in 1985 to cover the TT motorcycle races before being laid up in Birkenhead. Her withdrawal marked the end of the company's use of steam turbine vessels, and in August 1989, she was sold for scrap in Santander. Her significance lies in her being the last steam-powered vessel built for the Isle of Man Steam Packet Company, symbolizing the transition from steam to motor vessels in maritime passenger service.

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