My favourite man made object - Page 2

dave lukins · 10-21-2007, 18:24 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by crooks

Hmmmm, t'was a Frenchman who was in charge of construction and making it work, while an Englishman designed it - pretty much like the Channel Tunnel, Except in this case a huge success

(it cuts two hours off the trip to Paris, over the old route, it's down towards the med).

When you actually see it it defies belief, it's truly amazing.

I really need to take my bike over that bridge. Persuading my swampduck to let me go is another matter

mike nickeas · 10-21-2007, 18:49 PM

Swampduck?

RustyBattleship · 10-22-2007, 16:44 PM

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.

entropy · 10-22-2007, 16:51 PM

How did you climb, sir? Was it dangerous, with the wind blowing harder and harder, and the bars probably being too thick to hold properly?

Skull6 · 10-22-2007, 17:00 PM

:Me? I'd say the toilet paper roll holder. Imagine what life was like without it.

People always moving the toilet paper roll, such that it's never in the same place twice. Wives hiding it ("It looks ATROCIOUS!"), such that guests & visitors either have to rummage through all the cabinets of your water closet, or use something else ("I KNEW this hankie would come in handy!"). (I suppose one could use the bare hand & then wash it immediately afterwards, but how many years of societal & civilized evolution would that set us back?!)

No Sir. All your cranes & spaceships & mountain-top stone radio dishes are nice & all, but my vote is for the lowly & often disresepcted toilet paper roll holder!

entropy · 10-22-2007, 17:01 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Skull6

:Me? I'd say the toilet paper roll holder. Imagine what life was like without it.

People always moving the toilet paper roll, such that it's never in the same place twice. Wives hiding it ("It looks ATROCIOUS!"), such that guests & visitors either have to rummage through all the cabinets of your water closet, or use something else ("I KNEW this hankie would come in handy!"). (I suppose one could use the bare hand & then wash it immediately afterwards, but how many years of societal & civilized evolution would that set us back?!)

No Sir. All your cranes & spaceships & mountain-top stone radio dishes are nice & all, but my vote is for the lowly & often disresepcted toilet paper roll holder!

The computer mouse beats your roll.

Skull6 · 10-22-2007, 17:17 PM

But who feels the compulsion to hide a computer mouse when company visits?

dave lukins · 10-22-2007, 18:12 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by mike nickeas

Swampduck?

me darling wife..(shes just told me to say)

RustyBattleship · 10-22-2007, 21:58 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by entropy

How did you climb, sir? Was it dangerous, with the wind blowing harder and harder, and the bars probably being too thick to hold properly?

There are quite a number of ladders and walkways on the crane. Our supervisor (Callahan) gave us all safety belts to wear. The riggers laughed at us. By the time I got up to the operator's cab, I felt the safety belt was too cumbersome so I left it there in the cab.

The ladder up to the aircraft warning light on the 10 ton jib boom was very narrow and the handrails were only about 23 centimeters (9 inches) high. I climbed up there, turned around and looked back down on the amazing structure of the crane. It was a Saturday and I could have smuggled a camera in. But I didn't.

Damn.

BMF12 · 12-08-2007, 16:12 PM

I would also agree with the toilet paper roll.........amazing! I know I'd be screwed without it!
I think the Great Wall is pretty amazing, such 'vastness'...lol
The Panama Canal is too much of a feat to be ignored...
The Great Pyramids make me speachless
The Vimy Memorial standing atop the ridge with its wall of 'unknowns' would also be a sight to see......

Dwarven Pirate · 12-09-2007, 01:32 AM

My third choice is the internet.
My second choice is Pink Floyd's "Dark Side of the Moon"
My first choice is white sugar.

ShawnG · 02-08-2008, 09:49 AM

Automobiles (narrowing that down, muscle cars. Narrowing THAT down even further, 1967 Shelby GT500, a.k.a. "Eleanor")

& Chinese takeout.

Exarecr · 02-11-2008, 16:11 PM

It has to be toilet paper, the one great equalizer. Kings Queens and Presidents all have to squat and wipe,dignity be damned.

10-21-2007, 18:49 PM	#17 (permalink)
mike nickeas Patron Join Date: 07-28-07 Location: Liverpool Posts: 202 Country:	Swampduck? __________________

10-22-2007, 16:51 PM	#19 (permalink)
entropy Senior Reader *Senior Contributor* Join Date: 03-19-07 Location: Belgium Posts: 1,628 Country:	How did you climb, sir? Was it dangerous, with the wind blowing harder and harder, and the bars probably being too thick to hold properly? __________________ If memory serves...

10-22-2007, 17:00 PM	#20 (permalink)
Skull6 *Military Professional* Join Date: 08-28-07 Location: Colorado Posts: 290 Country:	:Me? I'd say the toilet paper roll holder. Imagine what life was like without it. People always moving the toilet paper roll, such that it's never in the same place twice. Wives hiding it ("It looks ATROCIOUS!"), such that guests & visitors either have to rummage through all the cabinets of your water closet, or use something else ("I KNEW this hankie would come in handy!"). (I suppose one could use the bare hand & then wash it immediately afterwards, but how many years of societal & civilized evolution would that set us back?!) No Sir. All your cranes & spaceships & mountain-top stone radio dishes are nice & all, but my vote is for the lowly & often disresepcted toilet paper roll holder! __________________ If you know the enemy and yourself you need not fear the results of a hundred battles. - Sun Tzu

02-08-2008, 09:49 AM	#27 (permalink)
ShawnG *Military Professional* Join Date: 01-03-08 Location: in the State of Denial Posts: 189 Country:	Automobiles (narrowing that down, muscle cars. Narrowing THAT down even further, 1967 Shelby GT500, a.k.a. "Eleanor") & Chinese takeout. __________________ "Patriotism is not short, frenzied outbursts of emotion, but the tranquil and steady dedication of a lifetime." -Adlai E. Stevenson

Thread Tools
Show Printable Version Email this Page
Display Modes
Linear Mode Switch to Hybrid Mode Switch to Threaded Mode

10-22-2007, 17:17 PM	#22 (permalink)
Skull6 *Military Professional* Join Date: 08-28-07 Location: Colorado Posts: 290 Country:	But who feels the compulsion to hide a computer mouse when company visits?

12-08-2007, 16:12 PM	#25 (permalink)
BMF12 Regular Join Date: 12-14-06 Location: North Bay Posts: 44 Country:	I would also agree with the toilet paper roll.........amazing! I know I'd be screwed without it! I think the Great Wall is pretty amazing, such 'vastness'...lol The Panama Canal is too much of a feat to be ignored... The Great Pyramids make me speachless The Vimy Memorial standing atop the ridge with its wall of 'unknowns' would also be a sight to see......

12-09-2007, 01:32 AM	#26 (permalink)
Dwarven Pirate Contributor Join Date: 08-20-07 Posts: 325	My third choice is the internet. My second choice is Pink Floyd's "Dark Side of the Moon" My first choice is white sugar.

02-11-2008, 16:11 PM	#28 (permalink)
Exarecr *Military Professional* Join Date: 10-18-07 Location: Kingston Ontario Canada Posts: 426 Country:	It has to be toilet paper, the one great equalizer. Kings Queens and Presidents all have to squat and wipe,dignity be damned.

Currently Active Users Viewing This Thread: 1 (0 members and 1 guests)

Similar Threads
Thread	Thread Starter	Forum	Replies	Last Post
Articles and links for the Military Professional	Officer of Engineers	The Staff College	115	11-20-2006 11:28 AM
The Laws of Man	troung	World Affairs Board Pub	8	07-21-2006 12:15 PM
The Flaming Man	Pyken	Political Discussions	7	11-18-2004 09:32 AM
More proof of the Saddam al Qaeda Connection	Leader	International Defense Topics	3	05-31-2004 21:22 PM