Whirley Crane: Richmond Shipyard No. 3

Historic Whirley Crane in Shipyard No. 3.

NPS photo/Luther Bailey

Quick Facts

Location:

Richmond, California Shipyard 3

Towering Industrial Titan

The Whirley Crane, named for its ability to rotate 360 degrees, is an iconic piece of industrial history currently located next to the SS Red Oak Victory ship in Richmond, California. This colossal crane weighs nearly 230,000 pounds and stands as a towering reminder of the massive shipbuilding efforts that took place during World War II. Its impressive scale and capabilities were essential for the rapid construction of ships that were crucial to the war effort.

Design and Capabilities

The Whirley Crane resembles a revolving boxcar perched on legs as tall as a 10-story building, reflecting its robust design and extraordinary lifting power. This crane was one of many used to move extremely large and heavy components around the shipyard. It could operate both independently and in coordination with other cranes, handling enormous amounts of steel and lifting large, prefabricated components into place during ship assembly. With a lifting capacity of up to 166,000 pounds on its own, the Whirley Crane was integral to the efficiency and speed of shipbuilding operations.

Historical Background

Constructed by Clyde Iron Works of Duluth, Minnesota in 1935, the Whirley Crane initially played a role in the construction of the Grand Coulee Dam in Washington state. The second phase of this monumental project was managed by industrialist Henry J. Kaiser, who later became a significant figure in wartime shipbuilding.

In 1941, as the United States ramped up its production efforts in anticipation of entering World War II, the crane was transported by barge down the Columbia River and along the Pacific Coast to Todd California Shipbuilding in Richmond. This facility subsequently became Shipyard No. 1 of Kaiser’s extensive Richmond shipbuilding enterprise. Once in Richmond, the Whirley Crane, along with dozens of similar cranes, dominated the skyline of the southern waterfront, symbolizing the industrial might of the home front.

Role in Shipbuilding

During the peak of its use, the Whirley Crane was a critical asset in the shipbuilding process at Richmond Shipyard. Its ability to lift and move large sections of ships allowed for quicker assembly times, which was vital given the urgent demand for new ships during the war. These cranes enabled the production of Liberty and Victory ships at unprecedented speeds, contributing significantly to the Allied war effort by ensuring a steady supply of vessels for military operations.

Preservation

Today, the Whirley Crane stands as a preserved piece of history, offering visitors a glimpse into the past and the extraordinary industrial efforts of World War II. Its presence next to the SS Red Oak Victory, a restored Victory ship, provides a tangible connection to the shipbuilding legacy of Richmond. 

Physical Description of the Whirley Crane

The Whirley Crane, a towering piece of industrial machinery, is a remarkable structure both in terms of its size and its engineering design. This crane, which played a crucial role in the rapid shipbuilding efforts during World War II, is characterized by several distinct physical features:

Structure and Size

Height and Frame: The crane stands on four massive steel legs, each extending upward to support a boxcar-like cabin that houses the crane's operating mechanisms. The entire structure reaches heights comparable to a 10-story building, making it a prominent feature on the waterfront skyline.
  
Boom and Arm: The most striking aspect of the Whirley Crane is its long, angled boom, which extends outward and upward from the main body. This boom is composed of a latticework of steel beams, providing the necessary strength and stability to lift heavy loads. The boom's ability to rotate 360 degrees, which gives the crane its name, allows it to maneuver large components with precision.

Components and Mechanics

Cabin: The operator's cabin, located near the top of the structure, is a large, boxcar-like unit that provides space for the controls and machinery required to operate the crane. This cabin is mounted on a rotating platform, enabling the crane to pivot in all directions.

Pulleys and Cables: The crane is equipped with a complex system of pulleys and steel cables, which are essential for lifting and moving heavy loads. These cables run along the length of the boom and are used to hoist materials from the ground to the required height.

Base and Stability: The base of the Whirley Crane is designed to provide maximum stability. The wide stance of its legs and the heavy steel construction ensure that the crane remains steady even when lifting its maximum load of 166,000 pounds.

Functionality

Rotational Ability: The crane's defining feature is its ability to turn a full 360 degrees. This rotation is facilitated by the rotating platform beneath the cabin, allowing the crane to access materials and ship components in any direction without needing to be repositioned.

Lifting Capacity: The crane's robust design and powerful lifting mechanisms enable it to handle extremely heavy loads, which was critical for assembling large sections of ships quickly and efficiently.
 

• Audio Stop: The Whirley Crane

  
  

  This audio program provides a brief history behind the crane and it's use in the Richmond shipyards.

  Credit / Author:

  NPS/Luther Bailey

  Audio Transcript

  The Whirley Crane, named for its ability to turn 360 degrees, currently sits next to the SS Red Oak Victory ship. At a weight of close to 230 thousand pounds, this crane is the only one left of dozens that were used to help build ships at record speed. The scale of it, is enormous, like a revolving boxcar sitting on massive legs as tall as a 10-story building. Whirley cranes were used to move very large and heavy components from place to place in the shipyard. The cranes could work alone or in unison and could manage enormous amounts of steel while lifting and moving large, prefabricated components into place during the assembly of ships. A single Whirley crane could lift up to 166 thousand pounds, alone.

  This shipyard facilitated mass production of wartime ships and retained its exemplary resources in part because it was built to be a permanent facility.