Built by engineers Stothert and Pitt of Bath in 1878 to William Fairbairn’s patent, this 120 ton steam crane in Bristol still works!
It is capable of lifting 35 tons, because a meaty vertical boiler inside the cab operates at 100 psi and supplies two twin-cylinder steam engines.
The jib has a reach of 35 feet (11 m) and a height of 40 feet (12 m). It was in commercial use until 1973!
The first of these cranes were a batch of six built for the Admiralty at Keyham and Devonport. Although they were hand-operated, they could lift 12 tons to a height of 30 feet (9.1 m) and a radius of 32 feet (9.8 m). A colossal crane of 60 tons was later built at Keyham.
William Fairbairn & Sons of Manchester built a number of these cranes and also licensed the design to other makers. After the expiry of the patent in 1875, other companies, notably Cowans Sheldon & Co of Carlisle, built many others as late as 1910, often powered by steam, water hydraulics or electricity.
It is now a scheduled Ancient Monument and owned and operated by The M Shed.
Bristol Docks
Built by engineers Stothert and Pitt of Bath in 1878 to William Fairbairn’s patent, this 120 ton steam crane in Bristol still works!
It is capable of lifting 35 tons, because a meaty vertical boiler inside the cab operates at 100 psi and supplies two twin-cylinder steam engines.
The jib has a reach of 35 feet (11 m) and a height of 40 feet (12 m). It was in commercial use until 1973!
The first of these cranes were a batch of six built for the Admiralty at Keyham and Devonport. Although they were hand-operated, they could lift 12 tons to a height of 30 feet (9.1 m) and a radius of 32 feet (9.8 m). A colossal crane of 60 tons was later built at Keyham.
William Fairbairn & Sons of Manchester built a number of these cranes and also licensed the design to other makers. After the expiry of the patent in 1875, other companies, notably Cowans Sheldon & Co of Carlisle, built many others as late as 1910, often powered by steam, water hydraulics or electricity.
It is now a scheduled Ancient Monument and owned and operated by The M Shed.
Bristol Docks
