Hog Island Cranes, Historical industrial cranes in Trenton, US
The Hog Island Cranes are two large locomotive-type gantry structures positioned along the Delaware River waterfront in Trenton. These steel frames stand side by side and remain prominent features of the industrial harbor landscape.
These cranes were built in 1917 in Ohio and initially operated at a shipyard during World War I. After the war, the federal government acquired them as surplus equipment and relocated them to Trenton in 1932.
These structures represent how Trenton once served as a major industrial hub with heavy machinery dominating its waterfront. They stand as reminders of an era when such equipment was central to the city's identity and economic life.
Visitors can view these cranes from along the Delaware River waterfront and see how ships were once loaded. The best views are found from various points around the harbor area where you can walk around the structures.
What makes these cranes special is their design as mobile gantry structures that could move along tracks built into the harbor. This type of design was an innovative solution for handling heavy loads efficiently in a working port environment.
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