Topics > Industry and Work > Ship Building > North Eastern Marine Engineering Co > NEM Hammer-head Crane
NEM Hammer-head Crane
The giant 'NEM Hammerhead Crane' in Wallsend was built for the North Eastern Marine Engineering Company in 1909. At the time it was built, it was said to be the largest crane in the world. For over a century it was a prominent feature on the skyline, seen from both sides of the River Tyne. It was added to the National Heritage List for England (Grade II* listed) in February 1989 - but later controversially delisted and dismantled following a public enquiry in the early 1990s.
Giant Cantilever Crane, 1909, by Arrol and Stothert & Pitt for North Eastern Marine Engineering Company, rivetted steel sections. A fixed crane tower, 125 ft high and 40 square supports on balanced horizontal jib of 245 ft total length. The jib swings through 360° and has a trolley with the lifting gear moving along the 150 ft working section. Designed to lift loads of up to 150 tons with great precision for ship construction/repair.
Only 42 of this type of crane were ever built, from 1905. This is the earliest example built in England and one of only two left on the Tyne. Complete with original machinery.
Popularly known as a 'hammerhead crane'.
See: The Engineer Aug. 20 1909 pp 187-9.
Information from the former Historic England list entry (1253566) - now removed.
from http://twsitelines.info/SMR/9…
Tyne and Wear HER(9291): Wallsend, giant crane at former N.E.M Works
- "Giant cantilever crane, 1909, by Arrol and Stothert & Pitt for North Eastern Marine Engineering Company (HER 5017). Rivetted steel sections. A fixed crane tower, 125 ft high and forty …
Added by
Peter Smith
from Newcastle libraries (flickr)
062855:North East Marine Engineering Co.Ltd (No date)
Pinned by Simon Cotterill
from http://twsitelines.info/SMR/9…
Tyne and Wear HER(9291): Wallsend, giant crane at former N.E.M Works
- "Giant cantilever crane, 1909, by Arrol and Stothert & Pitt for North Eastern Marine Engineering Company (HER 5017). Rivetted steel sections. A fixed crane tower, 125 ft high and forty …
Added by
Peter Smith
from Newcastle libraries (flickr)
062855:North East Marine Engineering Co.Ltd (No date)
Pinned by Simon Cotterill
