History
This 80 ton cantilever crane was built for J.S.White's shipyard in Cowes on the Isle of Wight in 1912 primarily to aid in the building of warships for the British Navy. The crane was decommissioned in 2004.
This is the only remaining example of a pre-war hammerhead crane in England and is currently undergoing restoration thanks to a grant from English Heritage.
More detailed history on the crane and J.S. Whites available here http://woottonbridgeiow.org.uk/hammerhead.php
An archive picture of the crane alongside 2 destroyers c1930
The Climb
We approached the shipyard late at night. Walking down dim moonlit streets, the smell of salt and marine diesel in the air we surveyed the landward side of the docks until we found what we needed. Away from the security and cameras we made it into the yard.
This was my first crane and although it's girth makes it appear stocky from a distance as we approached it its 50 meter height became apparent. Towering above the warehouses and masts of ships moored in the marina the black silhouette peers ominously towards the sky. Passing Heras fence we began our assent of the scaffold wrapped tower. Birds screamed and circled as we progressed up the ladders and platforms, past the ancient control room and climbing up the rusty gear mechanisms we reached the upper platform. The floor boards are old and rotten, the metal rails corroded and brittle. I stop to attach lanyards and make my way out to see the views across the Solent towards Fawley power station and Southampton.
Torchlight illuminates the buildings bellow. Seca. We are unsure if this is a routine patrol or if the cawing birds have alerted him to our assent, i quietly make my way back to the cover of the cranes shed as the torch begins to scan the crane. I'm sure we've been rumbled.
Nervously waiting I take pictures and as the last exposure finishes the torchlight turns and heads back toward the other side of the site. We were safe! I'd only shot enough for one panorama but not wanting to push our luck we headed down the ladders and back out to those quiet streets, grinning like madmen. We'll be back for more.
And back the next morning to see her in daylight.
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