Ben Ledi

[thunderd]

I have been asked by an old soldier if I could find a picture of the ship on which he was evacuated from North Africa in 1942, I have managed to find the following information for him but no picture.

s s BENLEDI built by Charles Connell & Company Scotstoun,Yard No 419 Engines by D Rowan & Co Ltd, Glasgow Propulsion: Quadruple expansion, 4 cyl, 3000 ihp, 12.5 knots Launched: Sunday, 09 March 1930 Built: 1930 Ship Type: Passenger Cargo ShipTonnage: 5943 gross; 3755 netLength: 429ftBreadth: 54ftOwner History:Ben Line, LeithStatus: Scrapped - 1950Remarks: 6.1930: Completed. 24.2.1950: Fire broke out in stokehold when in position 35.37°N, 17.11°E, 130 miles E of Malta. Abandoned. Later towed to Malta where she arrived 3.3.1950 and was declared a total loss. 12.9.1950: Arrived in tow at Spezia to be broken up by Cantieri Navali "Santa Maria".

He would be very grateful if anyone can help

[thunderd]

You are a legend Zelda and have made the old digger a very happy man

[KarenS]

Hi

I hope this gets to you. I recently acquired an old photo album of my dad's (now deceased). In it are pictures from his time in National Service but also some large photos of the SS Benledi (4) (on fire) on which he sailed whilst in the Merchant Navy. The photos are taken from the rescue ship and these are very good. There is also a photo of many men in a lifeboat. Also one, of my father and other shipmates but whether or not this photo relates to his time on the SS Benledi or not, I'm not really sure. I found this all so interesting I 'googled' the ships name and found much on the ship including your request from away back. I only wish I had asked him more about it all when he was alive.

Karen

[R58484956]

Greetings KarenS and a warm welcome to SN. Enjoy the site and bon voyage.

[Willie Mac]

I have been asked by an old soldier if I could find a picture of the ship on which he was evacuated from North Africa in 1942, I have managed to find the following information for him but no picture.

s s BENLEDI built by Charles Connell & Company Scotstoun,Yard No 419 Engines by D Rowan & Co Ltd, Glasgow Propulsion: Quadruple expansion, 4 cyl, 3000 ihp, 12.5 knots Launched: Sunday, 09 March 1930 Built: 1930 Ship Type: Passenger Cargo ShipTonnage: 5943 gross; 3755 netLength: 429ftBreadth: 54ftOwner History:Ben Line, LeithStatus: Scrapped - 1950Remarks: 6.1930: Completed. 24.2.1950: Fire broke out in stokehold when in position 35.37°N, 17.11°E, 130 miles E of Malta. Abandoned. Later towed to Malta where she arrived 3.3.1950 and was declared a total loss. 12.9.1950: Arrived in tow at Spezia to be broken up by Cantieri Navali "Santa Maria".

He would be very grateful if anyone can help

Hi Derek

Ive posted five photos of the Benledi IV when she was on fire in the Medi in February 1950

Photos in the Maritime Casualties Gallery

Regards

Willie Mac

[teddybear]

is there eny information on benledi6 she was on of four heavy lifters i did 5 trips on her the best ship i was ever on.
teddybear.