The Titan Crane

[Isabelle Prondzynski]

Though mentioned many a time here already, the Titan Crane really needs it own topic.

Great article here about two pensioners who have volunteered to work on the crane :

http://www.focusscotland.com/index.php/2011/12/volunteering-me-4/

Both these men could perhaps also help the BBC with its programme on the shipbuilders of the Clyde!

[riskygizmo]

The Bankies' very own 'Eiffel Tower'

http://www.independent.co.uk/news/uk/home-news/get-an-eyeful-of-clydebanks-towering-heritage-the-worlds-first-electricallypowered-cantilever-crane-to-receive-honour-8760214.html

[Lynda Bradford]

Good news for Clydebank.  I hope this brings in lots of tourists and money to develop the site of the John Brown's shipyard.

[Rob Lightbody]

Maybe they'll be able to open again during the week during the summer school holidays!

[Isabelle Prondzynski]

Another article here :

http://www.dailyrecord.co.uk/news/scottish-news/clydebanks-106-year-old-titan-crane-become-2190758

[Lynda Bradford]

Titan Crane to be sold!

Thanks for Fraser Ballantyne who has sent us this link to the Clydebank Post article.
http://www.clydebankpost.co.uk/news/roundup/articles/2014/01/22/485833-titan-crane-set-to-be-sold/

[Lynda Bradford]

Thinking about our planned Saturday 23 September 2017 trip down the River Clyde with the option to go up the Titan Crane I remembered that my Dad had often spoken about climbing the Titan Crane during his time working at John Brown's shipyard.  But I had not realised that my brother had also climbed the crane, which he remembers being referred to as the 200 crane.  My brother also remembered a couple of tragedies connection to the cranes. 

I was up it several times but as I remember it was known as the 200 ton crane. I seem to remember a crane driver committed suicide by jumping off one of the cranes and I think it was the 200 ton, but there again there were several cranes. A friend of mine bumped his head on a steel beam while working on an engine works cantry crane and fell to his death, married with a new baby.

The crane was upgraded to 200 tons in 1937.  Collective Architecture give some information about the crane and the restoration.
http://www.collectivearchitecture.com/projects/titan-crane

[Isabelle Prondzynski]

There are actually 4 Titan cranes (or Giant Cantilever cranes to give them their correct title) still in existence on the Clyde.

Greenock as shown above, Barclay Curle , Stobcross and of course Clydebank at John Brown's old yard where we will be visiting in September.

I believe the crane at Barclay Curle's old yard is theoretically operational in that it still has all its hoist cables in place and I believe still has power, but is said to be in an awful state of decay.
Anyone doing the sail Doon the Watter on Saturday will be able to see the Stobcross crane in Glasgow, especially if staying at the Crowne Plaza hotel.
Greenock's crane is a bit more of a journey down river.

Only the Titan crane at Clydebank is accessible and those doing the sail on Saturday will have fantastic views from 150ft above the river (assuming the weather is decent - which is a big assumption  )

The cranes were built by William Arrol except the Stobross crane which was built by Cowans and Sheldon.

How about the Finnieston Crane :


Another Titan Crane by Isabelle Prondzynski, on Flickr

[Pete Hamill]

Isabelle, the Finnieston crane and the Stobcross crane are one and the same! The crane stand on Stobcross Quay, Finnieston.

Nice picture!

[Bruce Nicholls]

The Greenock Titan in James Watt Dock. This is in what is now the Marina Boatyard. Close up it is badly in need of some maintenance. Although it is a Grade A Listed Structure this gives no guarantee of its future maintenance. Sadly I can see no long term future for this iconic structure, unless someone knows otherwise.

[Rob Lightbody]

I'm in Nagasaki, and look what I just found!!

[Isabelle Prondzynski]

Amazing! Were you able to find out what the story is?

[Lynda Bradford]

Your post reminded me of an article I read in a Historic Environment Scotland article, which I don't know if I kept. This short article may be of interest.

"The crane is part of a UNESCO World Heritage Site, and was 3D scanned as part of the Scottish Ten project involving Historic Environment Scotland and Glasgow School of Art."

[Rob Lightbody]

There's a famous Scot called Thomas Glover with strong links to Nagasaki. Makes for interesting reading!

I will add

[June Ingram]

Absolutely amazing !

[Rob Lightbody]

I think I found another one, in Yokohama!

[Isabelle Prondzynski]

I think I found another one, in Yokohama!

Can you see whether they are being used? Or are they now something like museum pieces?