Buck Turgidson Posted August 16, 2017 #1 Share Posted August 16, 2017 (edited) Titan, better known by its former nickname Herman the German (US Navy designation YD-171), is a large floating crane currently serving in the Panama Canal Zone performing heavy lifts for lock maintenance. Prior to its move to Panama in 1996, the crane was based at the Long Beach Naval Shipyard (LBNSY) from the end of World War II until the closure of LBNSY in 1995. It was seized from the German Kriegsmarine following the end of World War II as part of war repatriations. The crane was built by Demag Cranes AG as Schwimmkran nr. 1 in 1941 for the Kriegsmarine, where it had served in the Baltic Sea tending German U-boats.[1][2] The crane was one of four sister ships, two of which are still afloat and in service. I had a picture but couldn't get it to post, I'll be looking for the crane when I'm in the canal next month Edited August 16, 2017 by Buck Turgidson Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
BillB48 Posted August 16, 2017 #2 Share Posted August 16, 2017 Well I don't remember Herman from its time in Long Beach, but I remember it from the time when it became known as the Titan. Guess somehow the Canal has always had a relationship with German heavy lift cranes. Originally the Canal had two heavy lift cranes of 250 tons which were built in Germany and brought to the Canal in 1914. The Hercules and Ajax arrived at the Canal in 1914 and were both built by Deutsche Maschinenbau which eventually became part of Demag. The Ajax was sold off in the 1950s and the Hercules remained in active service with the Canal until the Titan arrived in 1996 when it was placed in reserve. Normally if the Titan is not being used she is stationed in Gamboa which is where the Canal's dredging operations are based. Gamboa is about mid point of the Canal, depending on the direction you are going it is just after leaving Gaillard Cut, (northbound) or just before entering the Cut (southbound). Here is a picture of her at her moorings at Gamboa... Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Rare Keith1010 Posted August 16, 2017 #3 Share Posted August 16, 2017 I hadn't realized that it had been in Long Beach. Keith Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Clarea Posted August 16, 2017 #4 Share Posted August 16, 2017 Titan, better known by its former nickname Herman the German (US Navy designation YD-171), is a large floating crane currently serving in the Panama Canal Zone performing heavy lifts for lock maintenance. Prior to its move to Panama in 1996, the crane was based at the Long Beach Naval Shipyard (LBNSY) from the end of World War II until the closure of LBNSY in 1995. It was seized from the German Kriegsmarine following the end of World War II as part of war repatriations. The crane was built by Demag Cranes AG as Schwimmkran nr. 1 in 1941 for the Kriegsmarine, where it had served in the Baltic Sea tending German U-boats.[1][2]The crane was one of four sister ships, two of which are still afloat and in service. I had a picture but couldn't get it to post, I'll be looking for the crane when I'm in the canal next month Interesting info, thanks! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Rare Keith1010 Posted August 16, 2017 #5 Share Posted August 16, 2017 How did you figure out it was from Long Beach? Keith Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Rare Turtles06 Posted August 16, 2017 #6 Share Posted August 16, 2017 Here's Herman as seen during our transit this past January. I was on the lookout, having read about it. (photo by turtles06) Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
BillB48 Posted August 17, 2017 #7 Share Posted August 17, 2017 Here is a short video of the Titan removing a miter gate at Miraflores Locks during a recent lane outage. What you see here is the Titan has removed the miter gate from the pintle ball and yoke casting in preparation for the miter gate to be taken to the dry dock for overhaul. What happens next is the gate will be laid over and floated like a barge and then moved to the dry dock. The Titan can only lift 350 tons and that particular miter gate weighs 700 tons, it is not possible for the crane to lift the gate completely out of the water. Lifting the gate off the pintle ball and laying it over is done within the 350 ton limit. This gate is at the east side sea entrance to Miraflores Locks. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Buck Turgidson Posted August 17, 2017 Author #8 Share Posted August 17, 2017 How did you figure out it was from Long Beach? Keith I grew up in Long Beach and was curious as to what had happened to Herman so I just did a search and there it was, coincidence I am soon to enter the canal on the Island Princess Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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