Structures / Modern Container Crane
Address
1501 Buena Vista Ave, Alameda, CA 94501
Lat / Lng
Year Constructed
1959
Structural Engineering Firm(s)
- Matson Navigation Company
- Pacific Coast Engineering Company
Structural Engineer(s)
- Michael Jordan
- C. Dean Ramsden
Architect(s)
N/A
Media
Modern Container Crane
Source: Liftech
Source: Liftech
Significance to Structural Engineering History in Northern California
Contracted by Matson Navigation, PACECO built the first modern day container crane used to transport containers from ship to shore at a cost of $350,000. Its boom could reach over 6 rows of containers and reduced the ship turnaround time from 3 weeks to 18 hours. Container cranes today throughout the world are all based on this initial innovative design.
Structure Description
The first modern container crane was a 118-foot high steel structure with a boom length of 107 feet constructed at Encinal Terminal in Alameda, California in 1959.
Interesting Facts
- Oakland has unofficially adopted the cranes as apart of the city’s identity. From 3D-printed earrings, to specialty designed T-shirts, the cranes have become a focal point for local artists.
External Links