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The 'Bessemer'
The ‘Bessemer’ was designed by Sir E.J. Read
on a principle invented by Henry Bessemer. It was hoped that
her unique hanging saloon measuring 70ft by 35ft would help
alleviate the effects of a rough sea and so ease seasickness.
The saloon would be worked by a hydraulic apparatus controlled
by one of the seamen, the complete structure resting on a
large rubber bed to prevent vibration. To ease docking at
Calais she was double ended in order to cut down on the manoeuvres
needed in harbour.
From the start the ship lacked speed, managing only 11 knots
instead of the promised 20. Her first crossing to Calais was
from Gravesend in April 1875 but on arrival she smashed into
the pier, damaging it and herself. On 4th May the ‘Bessemer’
sailed from Dover for Calais, where she again crashed into
the pier causing further damage. On 8th May there was a public
trial trip to Calais and the crossing was made in an impressive
90 minutes. Unfortunately, ‘Bessemer’ entered Calais as the
tide was sweeping through the pierheads, failed to answer
the helm and demolished 50ft of the west pier. On freeing
herself she then crashed into the east pier.
Poor steering qualities and malfunctioning of the swinging
saloon caused the ‘Bessemer’ to be laid up shortly afterwards.
She was sold to a Hull shipbuilder, who rebuilt her and removed
the swinging saloon. Even with alterations the ship was not
a success and was sold for scrap in 1877.
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