Victorian hammerhead crane given status of stately home and pounds 275,000 grant for restoration

TWO hammerhead cranes, which have been listed for preservation as if they were stately homes, are to be repaired and repainted at a cost of pounds 275,000, writes Oliver Gillie. The money will be provided as a grant from the government agency, Historic Scotland. It is the first time that heritage grants have been given for the maintenance of working industrial structures.

The two cranes, one in central Glasgow and the other at Greenock (pictured above), have become landmarks that symbolise the past industrial greatness of the Clyde.

In all, 27 giant hammerhead cranes were built in Britain but only 15 survive and seven of these are at risk of being lost. The James Watt Dock crane at Greenock, which was built in the 1880s, can lift up to 150 tons.

Photograph: Craig Easton

(Photograph omitted)