NSW Ports is conducting maintenance on the Port Kembla Breakwater Crane to preserve this important part of the port’s history.
Maintenance will be carried out on the crane's parts to repair rust caused by the sea air before the crane is restored to its current state.
About the crane
The Mobile Block Setting Steam Crane is considered to be of state significance for its rare and representative qualities.
It represents a tangible link with construction and earlier phases of maintenance of the Outer Harbour eastern breakwater.
It comprises a riveted sectional steel frame housing the steam engine and crane (cable and pulley) mechanism.
The structure is mounted on an isolated rail track with a line of four-wheel dump wagons located on a third parallel track.
The Crane and its associated wagons are rare at a state level as they are believed to be the only remaining type of a class of cranes in operation around NSW and throughout Australia.
It is a representative example of a mid-sized mobile steam crane, a class of machinery which was widespread throughout the state during the early to mid-1900s.
