Inward bound at Gravesend in 1971 is Ben Line's beautiful Benvrackie. Built by Connells at Scotstoun in 1955 she was 9,757 gr tons. Ben Line was not only a player in far east trading but they also managed to become pacesetters - no mean feat against some pretty well resourced opposition.
Homeward bound, the first convoy through the canal heading West, Rod Stewart at No 1 with "we are sailing" what more could you want. Certainly not the mine which the ship in front of us hit..!! Still a war zone at the time with burned out tanks etc by the side of the canal.The first time I
3/1955 Completed by Chas. Connell & Co. Ltd., Glasgow (Yard No. 477) for the Ben Line Steamers of Leith.
10,302 grt.
5,961 net.
12,010 dwt.
508 x 64 x 30'
Turbines (2) 9,350 shp by D. Rowan & Co., Glasgow. 17 knots.
21/12/1975 Arrived at Kaohsiung for breaking up by Nan Eng Steel Enterprise