SS ''Ben Jee'' was a steel-built coastal cargo vessel which was operated out of

Ramsey, Isle of Man Ramsey ( gv, Rhumsaa) is a coastal town in the north of the Isle of Man. It is the second largest town on the island after Douglas. Its population is 7,845 according to the 2016 Census. It has one of the biggest harbours on the island, and has ...

for the Ramsey Steamship Company; ostensibly to Garston, Belfast and Whitehaven. Her name, ''Ben Jee'', came from the Manx Gaelic term for ''Goddess.''''The Ramsey Courier.'' Friday 11 April 1924. ''Ben Jee'' was constructed in Rotterdam ''(circa)'' 1920. Originally named the ''Jolly Basil'' she was registered in London until acquired by the Ramsey Steam Ship Company in the Spring of 1924.

Service life

''Ben Jee'' entered service with the Ramsey Steam Ship Company under her original name in November 1924 under the command of

Captain Captain is a title, an appellative for the commanding officer of a military unit; the supreme leader of a navy ship, merchant ship, aeroplane, spacecraft, or other vessel; or the commander of a port, fire or police department, election precinct, e ...

John Corlett. Capt. Corlett's previous command had been that of the ''Ben Blanche.'' ''Ben Jee'' was considered a well suited vessel for the company's operation, said to be well appointed throughout. She possessed two large hatchways which enabled an efficient loading and unloading operation.

Incidents

On Tuesday 14 April 1925, a crew member of the ''Ben Jee'' drowned in Youghal Harbour, County Cork.''The Ramsey Courier.'' Friday 17 April 1925. William Quirk was the Second Engineer on the vessel, and was going ashore in a small rowing boat with a fellow crew member, Harold Dawson, in order to post some letters. Quirk fell over the side and although Dawson tried to save him, he sank quickly. The body of William Quirk was recovered and returned to the Isle of Man.

Disposal

The ''Ben Jee'' was sold in 1933.''The Ramsey Courier.'' Friday 22 December 1933. She saw further service as a molasses tanker with a number of companies under the names ''Athelrill'' and ''Molarill'' before being scrapped in 1959 at Georgetown, Guyana. In 1946 the Ramsey Steam Ship Company acquired another vessel which they subsequently named ''Ben Jee''.''The Ramsey Courier.'' Friday 29 November 1946.

References

{{DEFAULTSORT:Ben Jee Merchant ships of the Isle of Man 1919 ships Ferries of the Isle of Man Merchant ships of the United Kingdom