1942

This crane was a fixture on Pier 3 of Bethlehem Steel's Key Highway Shipyard facility. It was one of three identical cranes used to repair war-damaged ships during World War II. The Bethlehem Steel Corporation acquired the Baltimore Dry Dock Company on Key Highway in 1921 and set it up as a repair facility to complement their ship building facility at Sparrows Point. During World War II the Key Highway yard repaired over 2,500 ships and employed 11,000 workers. The shipyard was also the first one in the country to "jumboize" an oil tanker by cutting the vessel in half and then adding a section in between, thereby increasing its capacity. The "Yards" served as the largest ship repair facility in the United States until their closing in 1982.

Weight 110 tons
Height 60 feet
Lift of Boom 90 feet
Lift Capacity 15 tons
Built by Clyde Iron Works, 1942
Model Whirley 17 DE 90

The former Key Highway Shipyard is now home to the Harborview Residential Community. This crane was donated to the Baltimore Musuem of Industry by the Harborview Limited Partnership and moved to the Museum in 1991. Accession # 1990.12.04

[Side of marker:]
The "whirley" crane located at the exit of the



Baltimore Museum of Industry was once located at Pier 3 of the Bethlehem Steel Key Highway Shipyard. It was referred to as a "whirley" crane because the turret could rotate 360 degrees.

Sorry, but we don't have a picture of this historical marker yet. If you have a picture, please share it with us. It's simple to do. 1) Become a member. 2) Adopt this historical marker listing. 3) Upload the picture.

Show me all markers in:  

Hull of the Gov. R.M. McLane
Steam Tug Baltimore
Knabe Piano Factory Cupola
Working Point
Working Point by David Hess
Platt and Company Oyster Packers
Platt and Company Oyster Packers
Raymond R. Allen Court, a War Memorial
Fort Look-Out
Strategic Post

• GPX
• KML
• LOC

Have you seen this marker? If so, check in and tell us about it.