The "Titan Floating Crane" lifting the ferry Karrabee at Circular Quay, Sydney Australia.
The "Titan Floating Crane" lifting the ferry Karrabee at Circular Quay, Sydney Australia.
A few days prior to this, the ferry Karrabee had been a competitor in the Annual Ferry Boat Race. Up to about eight Sydney ferries compete and members of the public can particpate by travelling on board.
In 1984 at the end of the race the ferries returned their passengers to the wharves allotted and all had disembarked. A few minutes after the ferry had been unloaded, the vessel sank.
It remained on the bottom for a few days until arrangements could be put in place to refloat it.
One of the largest floating cranes I believe in the world was eventually obtained and the vessel was lifted from the bottom using pumps to eject the water and the crane.
From recollection the ferry went in for a refit and was then returned to service.
However the ferry did not last much longer and was retired in the 1980s. Sadly the Titan Crane was also lost as attempts were made to tow it across the high seas to Asia and it sank before arriving at its destination.
Comments and faves
lindsaybridge (44 months ago | reply)
Interesting to see the floating crane "Titan" which I think was not preserved, but sunk at sea.
TimBo's pics (37 months ago | reply)
Hi Express. We must have been rubbing shoulders. I have a pic very similar to this that I took from Circular Quay station on this day in 1984. I remember this because it was the day I lost my ' zoom ' lens somewhere between CQ & Wynyard Mcdonalds after taking some pics of the ferry. (as I recall it was a very hot day too.!!)
TimBo.
Spaudo added this photo to his favorites. (36 months ago)
Spaudo (36 months ago | reply)
Hi, I'm an admin for a group called ASTILLEROS, and we'd love to have this added to the group!
Anthony Snedden (35 months ago | reply)
I also remember the event being a passenger on that day.
highplains68 and blowlmington added this photo to their favorites.
NevDev (Nev) (17 months ago | reply)
I remember this incident.....must admit I didn't think it was so long ago.
This photo was invited and added to the Ferries Across Australia group.
GrenadierGuardsDmr (12 months ago | reply)
Pics from the contemporary news footage....
Colin_Bates added this photo to his favorites. (7 months ago)