Titan Crane in Clydebank Receives Landmark Status

The Titan Clydebank Crane is trending on Twitter today as it's about to be bestowed the accolade of international historic civil engineering landmark! The fact that the title is also held by the Eiffel Tower in Paris gives some indication to its prestige in the worlds of civil engineering. That makes today a big day for the humble Glasgow crane!

The award conferred by four leading engineering institutions, is recognition of the structure's status as the world's first electrically powered cantilever crane and its contribution to Glasgow's shipbuilding industry. The well-known Queen Mary and QE2 ships were both constructed using the mechanism which in the early twentieth century, was considered the best in cutting-edge technology. Adam Hunter, chief engineer at Glasgow firm Sir William Arrol & Co. is accredited with designing the crane. His intelligent design and engineering prowess quickly caught on in local shipyards and at sites across the globe: the better-known Finneston Crane is a direct descendant!

It's great to see that over one hundred years since its inception, the Titan crane is being given the status it deserves as a symbol of the city's engineering heritage. Perhaps this is due to many cantilever cranes being eliminated from history through their demolition with the decline of the industrial West. The Titan Clydebank may no longer be operational but as of today, it's legacy is assured. 

Visit RCAHMS' website for more details about the crane or search SCRAN through the GSA Library catalogue for a strong selection of historic images.