Crane Hot Line August 2025 | Page 6

Mobile Cranes Used to Dismantle Iconic Ship

By Tad Dunville, managing director, Lifting Partners

James Cameron’ s Titanic made us all wish we could experience a majestic ocean liner without the peril of sinking in the cold North Atlantic. Today, a ship far more majestic in terms of size and speed, the SS United States, is being turned into the world’ s largest artificial reef where both recreational and technical divers will be able to experience the ocean liner under water in a safe fashion.

A Virginia contractor is in charge of remediating the ship and making it safe for the sea life, divers and ships overhead. This includes pumping out oils and chemicals, removing paint and removing both enormous funnels. The ship has two of the largest funnels ever made for a ship, at approximately 65 feet tall. The funnels have to be removed in order to allow working ships to pass safely over without concern for fouling the hull.

The project managers on site have decided to rent a Manitowoc MLC650 crawler crane capable of moving the funnels in one pick, provided the weather cooperates. Each funnel is made of 3 / 16 aluminum, and the skin alone weighs approximately five tons. The skin is supported by a framework of A36 mild steel angle iron with riveted connections. Contrary to popular perception, there is little damage from unlike metals and electrolysis.

Once the funnels are on the ground, the disposal methods are still being debated. Of course, aluminum and steel have a scrap value, but there is also a prospective museum being formed to house certain artifacts, although it is unclear how a 65 foot tall funnel would be housed inside a museum.

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August 2025 • www. cranehotline. com