Ss Leyla [work] — Fresh & Fresh
The was sold to an Italian scrapping firm in 1933. However, fate intervened. While being towed past the Straits of Messina, an engine room fire broke out—a common hazard for aging steamers with degraded insulation and oil-soaked rags. The skeleton crew abandoned her, and for three days, the burning hulk drifted, earning the nickname "The Floating Torch" among local fishermen.
+-------------------------------------------------------------+ | LEYLA DECK LAYOUT | +-------------------------------------------------------------+ | [Top Deck] Shaded Lounge, Sunbathing, Panoramic Views | | [Main Deck] Air-Conditioned Dining Saloon, Forward Deck | | [Below Deck] 4 En-Suite Guest Cabins (Accommodates 8-10) | +-------------------------------------------------------------+
The Lady Leyla etched its name into modern geopolitical history in July 2016. Following a diplomatic reconciliation between Turkey and Israel, the vessel was chosen to spearhead a major humanitarian relief bridge.
The wreck of the Lelia lay undisturbed until the early 1990s, when a diver discovered it. A bell recovered from the wreck confirmed its identity, revealing a tangible piece of both Confederate and British maritime history. ss leyla
The next day, news of the sinking reached Liverpool, and the Liverpool No. 1 Lifeboat was dispatched to the scene, towed by the steam tug Blazer . Tragically, the valiant rescue attempt would add to the toll. The lifeboat itself was swamped by the same fierce waves, and seven of its 11 crew members perished, sacrificing their lives in a desperate bid to save others. In total, the incident caused 46 fatalities among the Lelia's crew and passengers, with the loss of the lifeboat crew bringing the total death toll to 53.
The ship was a 252-foot (77 m) paddle steamer of 640 gross register tons. Notably, its hull was built of steel, an unusual and expensive material for shipbuilding at the time, chosen for its lightness and strength. The engines and other machinery were built by Fawcett Preston & Company and rated at 300 nhp. The Lelia was one of a trio of blockade-running sister ships ordered for the Anglo-Confederate concern, William G. Crenshaw & Company.
While historically distinct, the story of the Lady Leyla offers another fascinating chapter for the name "Leyla." In 2016, this vessel was chartered as the first Turkish ship to sail to Israel following a diplomatic agreement, carrying 11,000 tons of humanitarian aid destined for Gaza. The Lady Leyla (originally named Lady Azra ) was loaded with supplies, including 5,000 tons of flour, 3,000 tons of sugar, 2,000 tons of rice, clothing, and even 10,000 toys for children. While not a shipwreck, the Lady Leyla's journey was a notable event in recent maritime history, representing a small step towards alleviating suffering and demonstrating the power of seafaring for peaceful, humanitarian purposes. The was sold to an Italian scrapping firm in 1933
: Turkmenistan (with historical registration under Vanuatu) Operational Profile
: It can house up to 12 guests and 4 crew members. 3. Commercial and Aid Vessels
According to ClassNK Register of Ships , the Lady Leyla is built for cargo capacity and durability. Specification General Cargo Ship IMO Number Gross Tonnage 7,255 tons Summer DWT 11,366 tons Overall Length (LOA) 134.45 meters Beam Engine 1 Man B&W Diesel A/S, Alpha Diesel 5. Conclusion The skeleton crew abandoned her, and for three
The SS Leyla is remembered not for glory, but for sacrifice. Local historians in [Village/Port name] keep her memory alive, noting that many of the crew came from that single village. For maritime archaeologists, ships like the Leyla represent the standard design of the era—a sturdy, functional vessel that did its job until the ocean claimed it.
For over 125 years, the Lelia lay forgotten at the bottom of Liverpool Bay. Then, in the early 1990s, a diver exploring a wreck site made a remarkable discovery: a bronze ship's bell. When the encrustation was removed, the inscription "Lelia 1864" was clearly visible, confirming the identity of the wreck. The wreck lies approximately 10 miles northwest of Hilbre Point on the Wirral Peninsula.
