Further to Jim Feaviour's post of the 15/10/2018, here's another view of Felixstowe's Titan Crane from circa 1964/5.
Further to Jim Feaviour's post of the 15/10/2018, here's another view of Felixstowe's Titan Crane from circa 1964/5.
The ship alongside is the 'Pool Fisher' which my father served aboard as Chief Engineer, several times between 1962 and 1967.
The ship was engaged in trading to the near continent.
The crane, originally built for the (former) Royal Naval Air Station, which later became RAF Felixstowe, was intended to be used to lift seaplanes in and out of the water.
When the military decommissioned Felixstowe for good, on the 21/06/1962, I assume the Felixstowe Dock and Railway Company found some way to buy or lease it, to use for commercial purposes.
The early JCB vehicles on the pier, ready for export, are an example of this trade.
Sadly, the 'Pool Fisher' was disastrously lost on 06/11/1979.
During a voyage from Hamburg, Germany to Runcorn, England with a full cargo of potash, the vessel capsized in heavy weather when some 8 nautical miles South of St. Catherine's lighthouse, Isle of Wight, England.
13 on board perished, two young men survived.
Harrowing accounts of the loss and inquest can be read here: http://
and scroll down to see the first account.
The ship alongside is the 'Pool Fisher' which my father served aboard as Chief Engineer, several times between 1962 and 1967.
The ship was engaged in trading to the near continent.
The crane, originally built for the (former) Royal Naval Air Station, which later became RAF Felixstowe, was intended to be used to lift seaplanes in and out of the water.
When the military decommissioned Felixstowe for good, on the 21/06/1962, I assume the Felixstowe Dock and Railway Company found some way to buy or lease it, to use for commercial purposes.
The early JCB vehicles on the pier, ready for export, are an example of this trade.
Sadly, the 'Pool Fisher' was disastrously lost on 06/11/1979.
During a voyage from Hamburg, Germany to Runcorn, England with a full cargo of potash, the vessel capsized in heavy weather when some 8 nautical miles South of St. Catherine's lighthouse, Isle of Wight, England.
13 on board perished, two young men survived.
Harrowing accounts of the loss and inquest can be read here: http://
and scroll down to see the first account.
Many thanks to Rick Vince for allowing me to post this
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