THE MOST ORIGINAL, STRANGE AND FAILURE SHIPS EVER BUILT IN THE WORLD.
The Short Life of the SS Bessemer โ 1875. What really happened? (Maybe๐)
Alessandro, I believe you are referring to the SS Bessemer. AKA Bessemer Saloon.
Indeed invented by and named after Sir Henry Bessemer, of Bessemer Converter fame.
He designed the ship and had it built, with considerable financial assistance - ยฃ250,000, because he was a chronic sufferer of sea sickness (Mal de Mer).
He believed that his 'swinging saloon' design would prevent that. At least for the First Class passengers๐
The vessel did indeed make two crossings of the Channel to Calais.
A private on 12th April 1875, no passengers as the Board Of Trade passenger certificate had not yet been issued. A strong easterly wind made the crossing rough and reduced the average speed to ~ 11kn. The 'swinging saloon' was not tested.
On arrival in Calais she proved difficult to steer at low speed and struck the dock damaging a paddle.
Second trip, on 8th May 1875.
On the outward voyage, Dover to Calais, the swinging saloon was not unlocked.
Allegedly due to damage sustained on the first collision with the Calais pier.
On arrival in Calais the Bessemer again proved difficult to manoeuvre in the small harbour and demolished some 50 yards of the pier. The port authority later sent the ship owners a bill for repairs, ยฃ2,800.
After two failures the company investors bailed out and the company collapsed.
(Having used the port of Calais several times I can confirm that the harbour is tight!)
I can find no record of 'a disaster' on the return trip from Calais.
Ultimately the ship was laid up in Dover and sold for scrap in 1879.
Oh well! Nothing ventured nothing gained!
Cheers, Doug๐
https://talesfromthequarterdeck.com/2024/04/06/the-short-life-of-the-ss-bessemer-1875/
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/SS_Bessemer
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Henry_Bessemer#Early_inventions
3 hours ago by ๐ฉ๐ช
RNinMunich (
Fleet Admiral)
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