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The self propelled, floating German Crane (Scwimm Krane) we had at the Long Beach Naval Shipyard. It was actually a WW I design but funding to build 4 of them didn't come about until WW II. One we destroyed in an air raid. Another capsized when it was being towed as a war prize by Britain while crossing the English channel (damn weatherman was wrong again). The third (unfinished) one was taken by the Russian. Only recently have there been some pictures taken of it fully completed (we think because the 10 ton jib boom doesn't seem right).
Ours was completely dismantled and brought to Long Beach with the barge in tow and it barely fit the Panama Canal. The wood fenders along the side had to be removed.
I worked on the crane a number of times and fulfilled a dream by climbing all the way to the top to the aircraft warning light. Without a safety belt and I got paid for it too. Interesting to see all the shrapnel holes and bullet holes welded up in the structure. But lifting 425 tons was no problem for her.
Oh yes. That's the USS Missouri our Herman the German is hovering over.
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Able to leap tall tales in a single groan.
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