Topic: Floating Crane information (Read 11927 times)

raflaunches · « **on:** October 20, 2018, 08:17:05 pm »

Hi everyone

Whilst I'm waiting for my car to be fixed (awaiting spares) I was given an early Christmas present by my mum- the latest Perkins British Warship Recognition Volume. In the incomplete section (volume VIII) there are some very unusal vessels drawn, one of them called Crane Lighter Number IV. A bit of research and I find that she was nicknamed 'Clive' due to her initials CL IV.
I've only found a little bit of information - built on the Tyne in 1916, sunk 1942 at Malta, 220ft long 87ft wide. I'm wondering if anyone has any other information on this vessel as I think it would make a good model with some real difference to the usual warships that I usually build. Anything would be gratefully received.

kevin547n · « **Reply #1 on:** October 20, 2018, 09:46:06 pm »

https://www.timesofmalta.com/articles/view/20180107/life-features/The-Ma-ina-from-mast-crane-to-boutique-hotel.667406

http://www.tynebuiltships.co.uk/C-Ships/cranelighterno41916.html

https://www.google.co.uk/search?q=floating+crane+clive&rlz=1C1PQHB_enGB727GB742&tbm=isch&tbo=u&source=univ&sa=X&ved=2ahUKEwij_YeQ8ZXeAhXBL8AKHbIEAXcQsAR6BAgFEAE&biw=1612&bih=855

https://www.facebook.com/SouthamptonMemories/photos/the-southampton-srfloating-crane-no1this-well-known-crane-worked-the-docks-for-o/981223155300274/

raflaunches · « **Reply #2 on:** October 20, 2018, 10:01:32 pm »

Thanks Kevin

Some of those I had seen but the Malta link and the Facebook page are interesting reads.
Many thanks

dodes · « **Reply #3 on:** October 28, 2018, 07:26:43 pm »

Hi Nick, the RMAS had two old Crane Lighters which were in their earlier years steam powered and I believe self propelled one in Pompey and one in Devonport, but by the time I knew them they were dumb barges and running on diesels, but fun to tow around usually with a dog and a smaller tug.

TailUK · « **Reply #4 on:** October 29, 2018, 10:38:23 am »

Thinking outside the box a little. This Crane is exactly the sort of thing that Meccano Magazine used to love to write about. You can read Meccano Magazine online for free now at http://meccano.magazines.free.fr/ Why not try there.

raflaunches · « **Reply #5 on:** October 31, 2018, 10:17:23 am »

Quote from: dodes on October 28, 2018, 07:26:43 pm

Hi Nick, the RMAS had two old Crane Lighters which were in their earlier years steam powered and I believe self propelled one in Pompey and one in Devonport, but by the time I knew them they were dumb barges and running on diesels, but fun to tow around usually with a dog and a smaller tug.

Hi David,

Thanks for the information, I now know that we’re 8 large 250t steam powered crane lighters in use at Royal Navy facilities around the world. Great to know some survived longer than I expected.

raflaunches · « **Reply #6 on:** October 31, 2018, 10:21:43 am »

Quote from: TailUK on October 29, 2018, 10:38:23 am

Thinking outside the box a little. This Crane is exactly the sort of thing that Meccano Magazine used to love to write about. You can read Meccano Magazine online for free now at http://meccano.magazines.free.fr/ Why not try there.

Hi TailUK

Thanks for the link-

Now that is an interesting point, when I was doing my initial research last weekend there were some links that popped up on the search engine mentioned Meccano. I’ve had a quick look on the link you’ve provided and there is an American floating crane article which is very similar so there might be some more.
I’ll keep you appraised when I find some more.

grendel · « **Reply #7 on:** October 31, 2018, 12:26:16 pm »

you might even find some info on the meccano forums - eg http://www.nzmeccano.com/forum/index.php

roycv · « **Reply #8 on:** October 31, 2018, 12:32:06 pm »

Hello I also belong to a Meccano society,
http://www.hsomerville.com/wlms/
We have a member Peter Goddard who is a mine of information on large cranes and recently made a large Floating Crane model.
Good luck,
Roy

raflaunches · « **Reply #9 on:** October 31, 2018, 12:51:50 pm »

Thanks guys,

Definitely checking out both links, I’ve found a reference to CLIVE from a Meccano magazine dated 1931 which was repeated in a book called Wonder Book of Wonder Engineering. Managed to find a copy on eBay for a reasonable price.
Thanks for your help so far.

dodes · « **Reply #10 on:** January 04, 2019, 03:29:21 pm »

Hi Nick, the Pompey tug I remember is CL7 and one of those you are talking about, but in the 1970/80's they were cold moved with a dog and a small tug. CL5 was at Devonport, similarly moved by tugs but both still then I believe still retained their screws , but never used them. Once when CL5 was being moved in a gale of wind the pilot moved the crane round 90 deg's to assist the move.

ballastanksian · « **Reply #11 on:** January 04, 2019, 08:03:06 pm »

I can't wait to see your build log for Clive Nick! It reminds me of a coaling hulk I would love to build (one of many ideas

) based on the old old HMS Agincourt hull and festooned with steam cranes. Yours and the hulk would make attractive dockyard moving accessories.

raflaunches · « **Reply #12 on:** January 05, 2019, 08:30:58 pm »

I think you and I have very similiar ideas

I bought some plans off ebay but unfortunately they turned out to be an Italian crane that sat on a barge, slightly mis-leading but never mind- they weren't very expensive so I'm not too bothered.
The Wonder Book of Wonder Engineering arrived last month and it does give a little more information it only has the same photo as the ones already seen. I think I may draw up a rough idea of the hull based on probable designs of powered barges. I may enquire at the NMM plans section to see if they have original plans first but only if they include all drawings- no point if they are missing hull sections and waterlines.
I've got a couple of projects to finish first so I've got plenty of research time.

dodes · « **Reply #13 on:** January 05, 2019, 09:03:36 pm »

Hi Nick, I have no idea of the under water hull, but seem to remember the top above water was a square hull. With a swim head bow, moved the CL5 at Devonport a few times when training for a ships pilot and used to berth outboard of CL7 with the Goldeneye at Portsmouth, beamy hulls but then they had to be for stability. At Chatham we had a tripod lifter came to Chatham after the war from Germany as war repatriation, had more concrete in its bottom than the M2 bridge.

warspite · « **Reply #14 on:** April 12, 2019, 10:19:05 am »

On TV yesterday there was a documentary called the Desert Rats, in it refered to the malta base in stopping the italian push into egypt, it shown the following picture - the same crane ?

raflaunches · « **Reply #15 on:** April 12, 2019, 06:50:04 pm »

Hi there

It certainly could be, the little bit of info on the history of the CL IV says it was based at Malta for a while.
Thanks for sharing the picture, I’ve been trying to find further pictures but been unsuccessful so far.

ballastanksian · « **Reply #16 on:** April 12, 2019, 09:07:27 pm »

The crane shape and layout look the same. I cannot see a second funnel to be certain but if the books say she was honing around Malta then it is likely one and the same.

raflaunches · « **Reply #17 on:** May 17, 2019, 08:04:06 pm »

A bit of an update on my research...

I found this picture, probably of a sister floating crane of the same class, being dismantled. Not sure but looks like one of the twin funnels has already been removed. What do you guys think?

derekwarner · « **Reply #18 on:** May 17, 2019, 11:26:06 pm »

Nick....the twin funnel heights shown in the first 2 images appear far lower in total height to that of the single funnel left in the last image

The funnel height difference is something like 160% taller in the last image

Derek

warspite · « **Reply #19 on:** May 18, 2019, 12:01:27 pm »

I agree, it looks higher than the first pictures and slightly higher than the one I posted, I seem to think there is another funnel about an 1/8th of the diameter sticking up where the second funnel would be with a chamfered outlet, or maybe it just been removed to allow them to remove the boom which appears to be in parts partly behind on the jetty and to the left

pompey · « **Reply #20 on:** July 13, 2019, 12:37:50 pm »

I have a lot of info on floating cranes for the Admiralty, (I was the engineer on the steam operated Crane Lighter No 4 (CLIV), for 12 years). This was the one built to replace the CLIV lost in Malta in 1942. I have some drawings, and many pictures, also a good memory of her equipment and how she worked. She was a beautiful vessel. Get in touch if anyone is really interested in making a model.

pompey · « **Reply #21 on:** July 13, 2019, 12:49:10 pm »

Here is the sister ship to the Floating Crane I was on!

raflaunches · « **Reply #22 on:** July 13, 2019, 01:28:36 pm »

Hi Pompey

Wow! She looks a proper vessel. I’d be very much interested in drawings and any help to build a working model. Ever since I saw the side profile in a the Perkins book this intriguing vessel as piqued my interest.
The replacement CLIV 4 looks fantastic. What were they like to work on?
I love the unusual and this really ticks all the boxes for me.
Many thanks

pompey · « **Reply #23 on:** July 13, 2019, 08:34:35 pm »

My email address is [email protected]. Please get in touch if you are serious about making a model of CLIV.

raflaunches · « **Reply #24 on:** July 13, 2019, 09:03:12 pm »

Hi Pompey

I’ve emailed you.

Best regards

Nick

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Author Topic: Floating Crane information (Read 11927 times)