No. 2 Travelling Steam Crane (C002), Fitzroy Dock, Cockatoo Island Front of No. 2 Travelling Steam Crane (C002), Fitzroy Dock, Cockatoo Island

Travelling Steam Crane (C002), like its identical twin on the northern side of Sutherland Dock (C001), is a rare example of an early steam-powered crane, and amongst the oldest in Australia. Both cranes were built by Priestman’s of Hull, England, installed circa 1890 at Cockatoo Island, and were powered by a vertical boiler and steam engine. They are indicative of the technology prior to the turn of the 20th century and were in constant use until well into the late 1980s. The cranes moved along the dock using the rail system and were used for putting the shores and staging into the dry dock when ships went into the dock for repairs. They were also used to tow ships into dock due to their low speed, high torque and traction system. Three men were required to operate each crane — one driver and two riggers. The cabins on both 001 and 002 cranes were changed to become enclosed during WWII. The restoration of the C002 crane cabin reflects this covered-in design. Travelling Steam Jib Cranes are now rare, and these two cranes are amongst the oldest on Cockatoo Island. This crane has been restored by the Cockatoo Island Volunteer Restoration team.

Travelling Steam Crane (C002), like its identical twin on the northern side of Sutherland Dock (C001), is a rare example of an early steam-powered crane, and amongst the oldest in Australia. Both cranes were built by Priestman’s of Hull, England, installed circa 1890 at Cockatoo Island, and were powered by a vertical boiler and steam engine. They are indicative of the technology prior to the turn of the 20th century and were in constant use until well into the late 1980s. The cranes moved along the dock using the rail system and were used for putting the shores and staging into the dry dock when ships went into the dock for repairs. They were also used to tow ships into dock due to their low speed, high torque and traction system. Three men were required to operate each crane — one driver and two riggers. The cabins on both 001 and 002 cranes were changed to become enclosed during WWII. The restoration of the C002 crane cabin reflects this covered-in design. Travelling Steam Jib Cranes are now rare, and these two cranes are amongst the oldest on Cockatoo Island. This crane has been restored by the Cockatoo Island Volunteer Restoration team.