Does anyone have any information on a troopship called the Archiemedes, which sailed the waters between Southampton and Le Harve carrying the 20th Battalion Kings Royal Rifle Corps. Was she a cruise liner of some sorts? Cheers
Full Version: Troopship, Archimedes
Hi All,
Does anyone have any information on a troopship called the Archiemedes, which sailed the waters between Southampton and Le Harve carrying the 20th Battalion Kings Royal Rifle Corps. Was she a cruise liner of some sorts? Cheers
Does anyone have any information on a troopship called the Archiemedes, which sailed the waters between Southampton and Le Harve carrying the 20th Battalion Kings Royal Rifle Corps. Was she a cruise liner of some sorts? Cheers
Hi Steve,
Here's one candidate:
http://www.miramarshipindex.org.nz/ship/show/166699
And another:
http://www.miramarshipindex.org.nz/ship/show/204071
-Daniel
Here's one candidate:
http://www.miramarshipindex.org.nz/ship/show/166699
And another:
http://www.miramarshipindex.org.nz/ship/show/204071
-Daniel
Steve
The Archimedes was a 5,364 Tons vessel built in 1911 for the Den Line and named Den of Airlie. She was bought in 1912 by the Lamport and Holt Line and re-named Archimedies.
From 1914-1919 she wa requisitioned as British Expeditionary Force supply ship.
She was sold in 1932 to the Ben Line and renamed Benmacdhui. . During WW2 she in 1941 she hit amine and sunk off Spurn Head.
Dave
The Archimedes was a 5,364 Tons vessel built in 1911 for the Den Line and named Den of Airlie. She was bought in 1912 by the Lamport and Holt Line and re-named Archimedies.
From 1914-1919 she wa requisitioned as British Expeditionary Force supply ship.
She was sold in 1932 to the Ben Line and renamed Benmacdhui. . During WW2 she in 1941 she hit amine and sunk off Spurn Head.
Dave
BENMACDHUI II, ex ARCHIMEDES, ex DEN OF AIRLIE
Depth 20m
Reference: 53 40’.168 N 000 30’.294 E
Location: 15.26-nautical miles ENE from Spurn Point
The BENMACDHUI II, Official No-123336 was a steel hulled 6,869-ton British merchant steamship that was registered at the port of Liverpool and had dimensions measuring: 132.28m by length, a 16.45m-beam and a draught of 10.66-metres. Russell & Co. built her at Port Glasgow as Yard No.-620 in 1911 and launched her as the DEN OF AIRLIE for the Steam Ship Den of Airlie Co. Ltd. in Dundee. C. Barrie & Sons of Dundee managed the new ship. Her single, probably bronze, propeller was powered by a 2,800ihp, 3-cylinder triple expansion steam engine that used three 3SB 9CF boilers and gave her a service speed of 12.5-knots. The cylinder diameters measured: 68.58cm, 116.84cm & 193.04cm with a 129.54cm stroke (27in., 46in. & 76-inches with a 51-inch stroke). D. Rowen & Co. manufactured the machinery at Glasgow.
In May 1912 she was sold to the Liverpool, Brazil & River Plate Steam Navigation Co. Ltd. in Liverpool and renamed ARCHIMEDES and the new managers then became Lamport & Holt Ltd. Ben Line Steamers Ltd. William Thompson & Co. of Edinbugh acquired the vessel in April 1932 and renamed her BENMACDHUI II.
Final voyage:
On 21 December 1941 the steamer was on passage from London & Immingham for Hong Kong when she detonated a German laid mine, foundered and was lost. She was carrying a general cargo, which included an unspecified amount of explosives. Two out of her fifty-four crewmen were killed when the mine detonated, but the six passengers on board, survived unhurt. The 2nd E-boat Flottille and forty German aircraft on 29 and 30 November laid the mines. They also sank the DROMORE CASTLE and the Greek steamer STEPHANOS CHANDRIS.
Wreck-site
The wreck is orientated in a west, northwest to east, southeast direction 115/295-degrees, with her bows to the southeast. She lies on a seabed of shell and stones, in a general depth of 20m, being the lowest astronomical depth. The wreck is standing upright, but broken into two halves, with about a 30m gap between the bows section and the stern half, where the boilers and engine/machinery, etc., are located. A section of bridge structure is attached to the forward half, although it is now collapsed. Humber Divers probably still hold a salvage contract on her interesting cargo, the majority of which has now been removed. However, there are still some fair lengths of bent, flattened and twisted copper piping and large brass valves, etc., to be seen, as well as a number of complete brass portholes. Nothing has been reported about this vessel’s brass pedestal-mounted-steering-helm and telegraph being recovered to-date, or the stern positioned iron steering helm. However, this wreck should be treated with the utmost respect in honour of those two men who were killed and lost with the ship. The highest parts of the wreck at each end stand 5.4m high, but a fair proportion of her has collapsed. This is still a good dive at a depth suitable for most sport-divers, however tidal streams are confusing and quite strong. Underwater visibility is generally poor and dredging often takes place in the immediate vicinity of the wreck.
Cheers Ron
Depth 20m
Reference: 53 40’.168 N 000 30’.294 E
Location: 15.26-nautical miles ENE from Spurn Point
The BENMACDHUI II, Official No-123336 was a steel hulled 6,869-ton British merchant steamship that was registered at the port of Liverpool and had dimensions measuring: 132.28m by length, a 16.45m-beam and a draught of 10.66-metres. Russell & Co. built her at Port Glasgow as Yard No.-620 in 1911 and launched her as the DEN OF AIRLIE for the Steam Ship Den of Airlie Co. Ltd. in Dundee. C. Barrie & Sons of Dundee managed the new ship. Her single, probably bronze, propeller was powered by a 2,800ihp, 3-cylinder triple expansion steam engine that used three 3SB 9CF boilers and gave her a service speed of 12.5-knots. The cylinder diameters measured: 68.58cm, 116.84cm & 193.04cm with a 129.54cm stroke (27in., 46in. & 76-inches with a 51-inch stroke). D. Rowen & Co. manufactured the machinery at Glasgow.
In May 1912 she was sold to the Liverpool, Brazil & River Plate Steam Navigation Co. Ltd. in Liverpool and renamed ARCHIMEDES and the new managers then became Lamport & Holt Ltd. Ben Line Steamers Ltd. William Thompson & Co. of Edinbugh acquired the vessel in April 1932 and renamed her BENMACDHUI II.
Final voyage:
On 21 December 1941 the steamer was on passage from London & Immingham for Hong Kong when she detonated a German laid mine, foundered and was lost. She was carrying a general cargo, which included an unspecified amount of explosives. Two out of her fifty-four crewmen were killed when the mine detonated, but the six passengers on board, survived unhurt. The 2nd E-boat Flottille and forty German aircraft on 29 and 30 November laid the mines. They also sank the DROMORE CASTLE and the Greek steamer STEPHANOS CHANDRIS.
Wreck-site
The wreck is orientated in a west, northwest to east, southeast direction 115/295-degrees, with her bows to the southeast. She lies on a seabed of shell and stones, in a general depth of 20m, being the lowest astronomical depth. The wreck is standing upright, but broken into two halves, with about a 30m gap between the bows section and the stern half, where the boilers and engine/machinery, etc., are located. A section of bridge structure is attached to the forward half, although it is now collapsed. Humber Divers probably still hold a salvage contract on her interesting cargo, the majority of which has now been removed. However, there are still some fair lengths of bent, flattened and twisted copper piping and large brass valves, etc., to be seen, as well as a number of complete brass portholes. Nothing has been reported about this vessel’s brass pedestal-mounted-steering-helm and telegraph being recovered to-date, or the stern positioned iron steering helm. However, this wreck should be treated with the utmost respect in honour of those two men who were killed and lost with the ship. The highest parts of the wreck at each end stand 5.4m high, but a fair proportion of her has collapsed. This is still a good dive at a depth suitable for most sport-divers, however tidal streams are confusing and quite strong. Underwater visibility is generally poor and dredging often takes place in the immediate vicinity of the wreck.
Cheers Ron
QUOTE (Silent Warrior @ Jul 12 2009, 06:52 PM) 
BENMACDHUI II, ex ARCHIMEDES, ex DEN OF AIRLIE
Depth 20m
Reference: 53 40'.168 N 000 30'.294 E
Location: 15.26-nautical miles ENE from Spurn Point
The BENMACDHUI II, Official No-123336 was a steel hulled 6,869-ton British merchant steamship that was registered at the port of Liverpool and had dimensions measuring: 132.28m by length, a 16.45m-beam and a draught of 10.66-metres. Russell & Co. built her at Port Glasgow as Yard No.-620 in 1911 and launched her as the DEN OF AIRLIE for the Steam Ship Den of Airlie Co. Ltd. in Dundee. C. Barrie & Sons of Dundee managed the new ship. Her single, probably bronze, propeller was powered by a 2,800ihp, 3-cylinder triple expansion steam engine that used three 3SB 9CF boilers and gave her a service speed of 12.5-knots. The cylinder diameters measured: 68.58cm, 116.84cm & 193.04cm with a 129.54cm stroke (27in., 46in. & 76-inches with a 51-inch stroke). D. Rowen & Co. manufactured the machinery at Glasgow.
In May 1912 she was sold to the Liverpool, Brazil & River Plate Steam Navigation Co. Ltd. in Liverpool and renamed ARCHIMEDES and the new managers then became Lamport & Holt Ltd. Ben Line Steamers Ltd. William Thompson & Co. of Edinbugh acquired the vessel in April 1932 and renamed her BENMACDHUI II.
Final voyage:
On 21 December 1941 the steamer was on passage from London & Immingham for Hong Kong when she detonated a German laid mine, foundered and was lost. She was carrying a general cargo, which included an unspecified amount of explosives. Two out of her fifty-four crewmen were killed when the mine detonated, but the six passengers on board, survived unhurt. The 2nd E-boat Flottille and forty German aircraft on 29 and 30 November laid the mines. They also sank the DROMORE CASTLE and the Greek steamer STEPHANOS CHANDRIS.
Wreck-site
The wreck is orientated in a west, northwest to east, southeast direction 115/295-degrees, with her bows to the southeast. She lies on a seabed of shell and stones, in a general depth of 20m, being the lowest astronomical depth. The wreck is standing upright, but broken into two halves, with about a 30m gap between the bows section and the stern half, where the boilers and engine/machinery, etc., are located. A section of bridge structure is attached to the forward half, although it is now collapsed. Humber Divers probably still hold a salvage contract on her interesting cargo, the majority of which has now been removed. However, there are still some fair lengths of bent, flattened and twisted copper piping and large brass valves, etc., to be seen, as well as a number of complete brass portholes. Nothing has been reported about this vessel's brass pedestal-mounted-steering-helm and telegraph being recovered to-date, or the stern positioned iron steering helm. However, this wreck should be treated with the utmost respect in honour of those two men who were killed and lost with the ship. The highest parts of the wreck at each end stand 5.4m high, but a fair proportion of her has collapsed. This is still a good dive at a depth suitable for most sport-divers, however tidal streams are confusing and quite strong. Underwater visibility is generally poor and dredging often takes place in the immediate vicinity of the wreck.
Cheers Ron
Depth 20m
Reference: 53 40'.168 N 000 30'.294 E
Location: 15.26-nautical miles ENE from Spurn Point
The BENMACDHUI II, Official No-123336 was a steel hulled 6,869-ton British merchant steamship that was registered at the port of Liverpool and had dimensions measuring: 132.28m by length, a 16.45m-beam and a draught of 10.66-metres. Russell & Co. built her at Port Glasgow as Yard No.-620 in 1911 and launched her as the DEN OF AIRLIE for the Steam Ship Den of Airlie Co. Ltd. in Dundee. C. Barrie & Sons of Dundee managed the new ship. Her single, probably bronze, propeller was powered by a 2,800ihp, 3-cylinder triple expansion steam engine that used three 3SB 9CF boilers and gave her a service speed of 12.5-knots. The cylinder diameters measured: 68.58cm, 116.84cm & 193.04cm with a 129.54cm stroke (27in., 46in. & 76-inches with a 51-inch stroke). D. Rowen & Co. manufactured the machinery at Glasgow.
In May 1912 she was sold to the Liverpool, Brazil & River Plate Steam Navigation Co. Ltd. in Liverpool and renamed ARCHIMEDES and the new managers then became Lamport & Holt Ltd. Ben Line Steamers Ltd. William Thompson & Co. of Edinbugh acquired the vessel in April 1932 and renamed her BENMACDHUI II.
Final voyage:
On 21 December 1941 the steamer was on passage from London & Immingham for Hong Kong when she detonated a German laid mine, foundered and was lost. She was carrying a general cargo, which included an unspecified amount of explosives. Two out of her fifty-four crewmen were killed when the mine detonated, but the six passengers on board, survived unhurt. The 2nd E-boat Flottille and forty German aircraft on 29 and 30 November laid the mines. They also sank the DROMORE CASTLE and the Greek steamer STEPHANOS CHANDRIS.
Wreck-site
The wreck is orientated in a west, northwest to east, southeast direction 115/295-degrees, with her bows to the southeast. She lies on a seabed of shell and stones, in a general depth of 20m, being the lowest astronomical depth. The wreck is standing upright, but broken into two halves, with about a 30m gap between the bows section and the stern half, where the boilers and engine/machinery, etc., are located. A section of bridge structure is attached to the forward half, although it is now collapsed. Humber Divers probably still hold a salvage contract on her interesting cargo, the majority of which has now been removed. However, there are still some fair lengths of bent, flattened and twisted copper piping and large brass valves, etc., to be seen, as well as a number of complete brass portholes. Nothing has been reported about this vessel's brass pedestal-mounted-steering-helm and telegraph being recovered to-date, or the stern positioned iron steering helm. However, this wreck should be treated with the utmost respect in honour of those two men who were killed and lost with the ship. The highest parts of the wreck at each end stand 5.4m high, but a fair proportion of her has collapsed. This is still a good dive at a depth suitable for most sport-divers, however tidal streams are confusing and quite strong. Underwater visibility is generally poor and dredging often takes place in the immediate vicinity of the wreck.
Cheers Ron
Afternoon,
Would anyone have a photgraph of the Archimedies?
Simon
QUOTE (Simon Birch @ Aug 23 2009, 07:08 AM)
Afternoon,
Would anyone have a photgraph of the Archimedies?
Simon
Would anyone have a photgraph of the Archimedies?
Simon
I have a picture I believe to be Archimedes (supplied some years ago via a forum member). She also carried the 1/4th Gordons to France in Feb 1915. I'll see if I can dig it out - I would very much like confirmation as I was also sent a picture of a very different vessel.
In the 1/4 Gordons diary and in at least two personal diaries from the Battalion she is described as a "cattle ship". The men were transported below with horses above. (mentioned in two diaries) - would this fit with the detailed description above (my knowledge of things nautical is zero)
Chris
Edit: found it - does this look right?
Click to view attachment
Chris,
Certainly looks like a picture of her in a book I have, I would put money on it. The picture source is quoted as the National Maritime Museum from where a copy could be purchased.
Ray.
Certainly looks like a picture of her in a book I have, I would put money on it. The picture source is quoted as the National Maritime Museum from where a copy could be purchased.
Ray.
I guess if she was a cattle ship then the horses would have been led on board up ramps etc (I have seen photos of horses being lifted by crane onboard at Southampton)?
Alan
Alan
The reason I am looking for this is that she carried part of 65 Squadron RFC to Le Havre in 1917. A diary of an aircraftsman attached the squadron, who travelled on the ship says that he slept for a few nights "in the stables" so cattle / horses sounds about right.
Many thanks
Simon
Many thanks
Simon
I've just come across this thread. It's quite useful for those with an interest in the 62nd Division and it's transport to France in January 1917. I've often wondered about which ships transported the Division abroad. I found some 62nd Division memoirs on this link..
http://www.pontefractus.co.uk/memories/mem...apperholmes.htm
..which refers to the Archimedes carrying the 62nd Divisional Signal Company R.E. from Southampton. So it's quite probable the same ship carried other larger elements of the Division to France. Anyone got a guess as a ball park figure as to how many ships it take to move a Division across the Channel?
http://www.pontefractus.co.uk/memories/mem...apperholmes.htm
..which refers to the Archimedes carrying the 62nd Divisional Signal Company R.E. from Southampton. So it's quite probable the same ship carried other larger elements of the Division to France. Anyone got a guess as a ball park figure as to how many ships it take to move a Division across the Channel?
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