FEATURE
I
t’s been an iconic fixture on the Cowes
waterfront skyline for over a century – a
landmark for seafarers and a navigation
point for yachties - and now it looks
as if the 1912 Hammerhead Crane
will be standing tall and proud for the
foreseeable future.
With the council now making urgent
repairs on the Grade II* Listed structure,
with support from English Heritage,
enthusiasts are daring to hope for the
day when the crane will be fully restored
and operational.
“It could certainly be
of great interest to
mechanical apprentices,
and generally inspire
young people to take up
careers in engineering,
craftsmanship or
restoration”
Jon Fisher, Chairman of the eightstrong Cowes Hammerhead Crane Trust,
said: “It feels as if we are finally getting
somewhere.”
The Trust is keen to see the crane
restored as a memorial to the historic J.S.
White shipyard – but members want it
to be a living, functioning memorial that
will earn its own keep, rather than just a
reminder of a golden age of engineering.
The developer, Peter Harrison, has
already incorporated the crane into the
first phase of the Medina Yard waterfront
development – but the Trust would
like to see the council use it’s powers
to make sure it is a fully operational
feature, restored in the first phase of
development, rather than just a symbolic
piece of architecture.
Re-installing a capability to lift heavy
loads would be key, around 5 tons would
allow for some commercial applications,
whilst a 2-3 ton version could provide
an educational use, demonstrating the
mechanics to schoolchildren and visitors.
“It is a riveted structure, of which there
are not many left” said Mr Fisher, “so it
could certainly be of great interest to
mechanical apprentices, and generally
inspire young people to take up careers
in engineering, craftsmanship or
restoration.”
The crane, which will sit as the
centrepiece of the proposed new
waterfront development, rather like a
village square, could have a wider new
lease of life as part of a public space for
markets, open air concerts, performance
art, and eating and drinking.
The Trust, which uses the Hammerhead
Crane as its ‘brand’ says: “We see the
crane, already a key landmark, in a
heritage community setting.
“That way, it can be a focus for
community, a venue for events and
activities, and generally part of the
enjoyment of the historic waterfront.”
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