Intro
On a dark rainy night in Glasgow I made my way towards this hulking giant off Glasgow's industrial past. Access required nerves of steel and some delicate climbing; especially as the Strictly Come Dancing Tour was on at the SECC that night. But standing on top of the crane in 30mph wind with the rain falling, I considered the rewards were worth it!
History-
The Finnieston Crane (also known as the Stobcross Crane) is the largest of the hammerhead cranes, of which four remain along the river. The last to be built, it was erected in 1931 especially to load huge locomotives, a major export and Glasgow’s second most important engineering industry. It is still in working order.
The crane’s capacity was 175 tons. It is 175 ft high with a 152 ft jib which could make a full revolution, of 1,000 ft at the tip of the jib, in 3½ minutes. It was built by the Carlisle firm Cowans, Sheldon & Co. At the time it was the largest hammerhead crane in Europe.
The Finnieston Crane in 1955-
Mayfest 1987-
The Photos-
On a dark rainy night in Glasgow I made my way towards this hulking giant off Glasgow's industrial past. Access required nerves of steel and some delicate climbing; especially as the Strictly Come Dancing Tour was on at the SECC that night. But standing on top of the crane in 30mph wind with the rain falling, I considered the rewards were worth it!
History-
The Finnieston Crane (also known as the Stobcross Crane) is the largest of the hammerhead cranes, of which four remain along the river. The last to be built, it was erected in 1931 especially to load huge locomotives, a major export and Glasgow’s second most important engineering industry. It is still in working order.
The crane’s capacity was 175 tons. It is 175 ft high with a 152 ft jib which could make a full revolution, of 1,000 ft at the tip of the jib, in 3½ minutes. It was built by the Carlisle firm Cowans, Sheldon & Co. At the time it was the largest hammerhead crane in Europe.
The Finnieston Crane in 1955-
Mayfest 1987-
The Photos-
