:: rawblogXport ::

:: Monday, July 05, 2004 ::

Smooth sailing for 3rd Ave. Bridge BY AUSTIN FENNER, New York Daily News
A 1,000-ton supercrane called the Chesapeake 1000 dangled an 850-ton piece of the bridge above the Harlem River for more than two hours yesterday before gently lowering it to a barge.

The painstaking and dangerous operation involved six tugboats, 13 barges and dozens of ironworkers, who placed their bodies and souls directly underneath the metal bridge piece.

Crane operator Frank Anthony sat in the crow's nest of the Chesapeake 1000, pulling a series of levers on the yellow water-borne crane.

Anton Stackow was at the helm of the tugboat American Muscle, which orchestrated the delicate shuffle of boats and cranes and barges.

'This is the last large piece,' said Stackow. 'The ironworkers are staying under the load. They will direct it and center it.'

posted 6:15 AM :: reference link :: 0 comments ::

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