BEN LEDI
Shipbuildervessel built by
Hall, Russell & Company, Limited
(Aberdeen, Scotland, 1864 - 1992)
DateOctober 1878
Object NameTUG
MediumIRON
ClassificationsShip
Dimensionslength 90 3/12' x breadth 18 7/12' x depth 10 3/12'
Gross Tonnage: 114 ton
Gross Tonnage: 114 ton
Object numberABDSHIP001856
Keywords
Yard Number: 213
Official Number: 79641
Fate: Scrapped 1935
Propulsion: Steam
Description: Paddle tug, 1 deck, 2 masts, ketch rigged, round stern, clench built, iron frame.
(Source: Aberdeen Register of Shipping (Aberdeen City Archives))
Owners:
1878: James F. Gibb, London, registered at London.
1882-86: J. N. Newton, registered at Aberdeen.
1886-90: R. L. Cook.
1891: Ayr Harbour Trustees, registered at Ayr.
1898-1928: R. Readhead (late & Sons), registered at Newcastle
Masters:
1888: Master J. Wake
1892-98: Master F. Ross
1918: Master B. Bootiman
General History:
05/10/1878:
This tug has been built for Mr James Gibb of London - intended for Thames and Channel towing. It is the third tug built by Hall, Russell & Company for the same firm [...] a powerful iron paddle-tug with disconnecting engines of 50h.p.
(Aberdeen Journal)
29/10/1878:
Iron Paddle steam tug BEN LEDI, built by Hall Russell, went out to the bay yesterday for a trial of speed and attained very satisfactory result, 10 knots. Fitted with the latest improvements. Will leave for London tomorrow.
(Aberdeen Journal)
20/06/1879:
BEN LEDI, belonging to the Ben line of tugs, was engaged by Thames Royal Yacht Club to convey limited number of members to see race from Nore Light to Dover.
(Morning Post)
06/09/1879:
Ship ST. VINCENT, London for Adelaide, returned on fire to Gravesend in tow of BEN LEDI.
(Daily Gazette)
04/04/1882:
At Lloyd's captains rooms, London, 19 April, to be disposed of by private treaty, fine iron paddle tug BEN LEDI, built 1878 by Hall Russell. Disconnected lever engines of 50 H.P. nominal with 25 in. cylinders and 4 ft. stroke is splendidly finished and does her work extremely well. Can be inspected by appointment on River Thames, where she is now employed.
(Liverpool Mercury)
28/11/1882:
G and N Davidson, herring curers and merchants, St. Clements St., have secured for trawling purposes, the powerful steam tug BEN LEDI, of London, which arrived Aberdeen yesterday. Additions necessary to fit the vessel for trawling are already commenced, and she is expected to be ready in a few days.
(Aberdeen Weekly Journal)
22/04/1889:
Badly leaking yacht crewed by 5 young men was hailed by BEN LEDI at Castle Foot of Scarborough and taken in tow, but sank as soon as she was towed into harbour. The tug skipper very generously refused any recompense.
(York Herald)
1835: Scrapped (www. thamestugs.co.uk)
Engines: Lever action 2 cylinder engine, diameters 25" and 48", 50 h.p.
15 February 1858
22 June 1872
