Quarry Crane Update Peter Dunn December 2021
The crane showing work undertaken to date (courtesy Peter Dunn)
The Crane Restoration Group would like to announce that Restoration Work of the Stothert & Pitt circa 1864 Six-ton Crane that spent all its working life in the stone industry around the Wiltshire village of Box, is now complete with the exception of the assembly on its permanent public display site within the South Quays, originally the Newark Works complex in Bath. This has been delayed due to the site landscaping project not being complete. It is now scheduled for some time in mid-2022.
I would like to thank all involved with this project, Nina Roberts who is in the process of transferring ownership of the crane to the City of Bath for public display. Thanks to the rest of our team, Mary Sabina Stacy, Arthur Feltham, Varian Tye, Mike Dodds, Stuart Burroughs and Tony Wray for their work, support and fundraising efforts over the last 3 years. Also to our funders:
The Bath Stone Quarry Museum Trust, The Association for Industrial Archaeology, The Bristol Industrial Archaeological Society, Hawker Joinery, The Cotswolds National Landscape plus some private individuals. Also, Bath & North East Somerset Council for taking ownership of the crane to be displayed for public viewing.
I would like to thank all involved with this project, Nina Roberts who is in the process of transferring ownership of the crane to the City of Bath for public display. Thanks to the rest of our team, Mary Sabina Stacy, Arthur Feltham, Varian Tye, Mike Dodds, Stuart Burroughs and Tony Wray for their work, support and fundraising efforts over the last 3 years. Also to our funders:
The Bath Stone Quarry Museum Trust, The Association for Industrial Archaeology, The Bristol Industrial Archaeological Society, Hawker Joinery, The Cotswolds National Landscape plus some private individuals. Also, Bath & North East Somerset Council for taking ownership of the crane to be displayed for public viewing.
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To date there has been a total of 1,107 volunteer hours put into this project. During 2021 we refitted the hoist gearing and drum, made and lined a new band brake, fitted the timber deck to the truck frame, obtained a replacement hoist chain cleaned it and wound it onto the hoist drum.
The trickiest job was fitting the head and foot castings to the replacement timber jib. An interesting and challenging piece of woodwork. As space was needed on the restoration site the smaller parts including the jib are now in secure storage provided by Bath and North East Somerset Council. The two largest pieces the King Post Rail Wheel Frame and Hoist Winch Slewing Frame have now been assembled. This makes a fine sight that signals the completion. |
Assembling components (courtesy Peter Dunn)
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The crane is an important piece of Bath's industrial heritage and a tribute to its construction in the city and its use in the village of Box.
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Above Left: The crane in its restored condition (Peter Dunn) and Right: In its state before restoration (courtesy Varian Tye).
For more details and photos of its condition before restoration, see article: Stothert & Pitt Crane 57
For more details and photos of its condition before restoration, see article: Stothert & Pitt Crane 57