Imagine Glasgow’s skyline without the Finnieston Crane. Hard to do isn’t it? The Finnieston Crane stands tall as a symbol of Glasgow’s engineering prowess. It is a testament to the city’s shipbuilding history. This giant cantilever crane, also known as the Stobcross Crane, is no longer operational. Yet, it remains a powerful reminder of Glasgow’s industrial heritage.
The Finnieston Crane is one of four such cranes that once graced the River Clyde. A fifth crane was sadly demolished in 2007. Only eleven giant cantilever cranes remain worldwide. The Finnieston Crane is among this select group.
The crane’s story began with a predecessor. The first Finnieston Crane was moved to Finnieston Quay in 1848. It was used to lift machinery onto steam vessels. As Glasgow’s shipbuilding industry boomed, a larger crane became necessary.
The present Finnieston Crane was commissioned in June 1928 by the Clyde Navigation Trust. It was built as a replacement. Construction finished in 1931 and operations started in 1932. Cowans, Sheldon & Company of Carlisle built the tower. The cantilever was built by the Cleveland Bridge & Engineering Company. Daniel Fife supervised. He was the mechanical engineer to the Clyde Navigation Trust.
Interestingly, Sir William Arrol & Co. did not get the contract. They had significant experience in dock cranes. They built other cranes along the Clyde, including the Titan Clydebank. However, Arrol was involved in the design of the Finnieston Crane’s foundations.
The total cost for the Finnieston Crane and its foundations was £69,000. The Clyde Navigation Trust met 85% of this cost. The crane is officially known as the “Stobcross Crane” or “Clyde Navigation Trustees crane #7”. Its proximity to Finnieston Quay led to its popular name.
The Finnieston Crane connected to the Stobcross Railway. Its main purpose was to lift heavy machinery onto ships. This included tanks and steam locomotives. Many locomotives came from the St Rollox works. As many as 30,000 locomotives were hauled through Glasgow. Clydesdale horses, traction engines and diesel tractors did the work. The locomotives were destined for export across the British Empire.
In 1987, the Finnieston Crane became a canvas for public art. George Wyllie, a local sculptor, created a full-size replica locomotive from straw. The crane suspended the straw locomotive. It was later burned to reveal its metal framework. After Wyllie’s death in 2012, a giant question mark hung from the crane. This was a tribute to his work. In 2013, American artist Bill Fontana attached microphones to the crane. They recorded the sounds of the structure.
The Finnieston Crane is a giant structure. It stands 53 metres tall. Its cantilever jib extends 46 metres. It has a lifting capacity of 175 tons. The crane could rotate fully in three and a half minutes. A steel staircase and an electric lift provide access to the top. It is the only British crane with a personnel lift. The Finnieston Crane also has a horizontal rail. This rail allowed movement of the jigger hoist. The jigger hoist was an auxiliary crane for lighter loads.
The docks that the Finnieston Crane serviced closed in 1969. They have since been filled and redeveloped. The North Rotunda stands to the east of the crane. The Scottish Exhibition and Conference Centre and the Clyde Auditorium are to the west.
The Finnieston Crane can be seen in the background of BBC Reporting Scotland broadcasts. It also appears on STV 2’s Live at Five. The Finnieston Crane featured in Limmy’s Show. The character Dee Dee recounts a dream of having a party atop the “Finneston Cran”.
The Finnieston Crane stands as a reminder of Glasgow’s past. It also embraces the city’s present and future. It’s a landmark that embodies Glasgow’s spirit.