Vickers built Ben-my-Chree at Barrow-in-Furness, and Cammell Laird carried out the wartime conversion. The yard replaced part of the after superstructure with a hangar and strengthened the ship's derricks to handle aircraft. A removable forward platform and trolley rails let a seaplane take off while the carrier kept moving, though recovery still required the ship to stop beside an aircraft on the water. Naval service also brought a crew of 250, four 12-pounder guns, two 3-pounder anti-aircraft guns, and room for four to six seaplanes. Later additions expanded the anti-aircraft battery, giving a small converted steamer a substantial mix of aviation and defensive equipment.
Chapter · 23:05-29:43
A fast steamer becomes a practical seaplane carrier
The conversion used the steamer's hangar space, lifting gear, speed, and forward launch platform to support four to six seaplanes alongside a defensive gun battery.