Firefighters to Work Through Night as Crane Collapse Rescue Continues (NYC)

NY1 ^ | March 15, 2008

[LoneRangerMassachusetts]

Ironworker connectors are like monkeys. I have watched them scale columns by wedging their boots between column flanges and simply hike on up. Once, I watched a foreman walk across a roof on top of an open web bar joist that was loosely set on its supporting beams. The span waas about 32 feet. Such a joist is about four inches wide and subject to wobbling and rolling. It made a circus tight rope act look less impressive.

[Hebrews 11:6]

The biggest, street-legal Liebherr I've ever seen

I hadn't heard of Liebherr, so I googled it--this is claimed to be the "LTM 11200-9.1-- Worlds Most Powerful Mobile Crane".

Anyway, I assume their first priority is to lift the fallen boom in order to search the smashed building. That seems straightforward. I'm curious just how they'll deal with the crane's 19-story tower, which leans against the building across the street. I'd pay good money for a seat just out of range. Any idea how they'll manage?

[Eye of Unk]

Did it look like this? I would hate to meet this on a narrow bridge.

[ELS]

Things are finally starting to hit momentum down there.

Interesting. I'll have to take a trip over on the PATH one of these days.

[the invisib1e hand]

Yikes! That looks almost make-believe.

It must be a notch or two down from that one. The boom was extended about 10 stories but it looked like it had a little ways to go.

Man, that thing is amazing.

[the invisib1e hand]

Peek through the fence. The purposeless pit we’ve been staring at for so long is showing signs of life.

[the invisib1e hand]

It’s been so long since I’ve been on the PATH... I forgot you won’t need to peek through any fence; you’ll have a front row seat. I’ve heard people refer to it as “the Disney ride from hell” back in the day.

[Clemenza]

I used to do pub crawl in this nabe back in the day. Operating a crane is not as dangerous as it used to be, but is (duh) far from being free of risk.

Interesting that your parents once lived in the Turtle Bay area. There used to be a great pizzeria/Italian restaurant on 2nd near 52nd called Rocky Lee, but it is no more.

[ELS]

I used to commute into work via the WTC PATH pre-9/11, so I remember it well. Riding into the site is kinda cool now - as you said, a front row seat. However, it is a little strange disembarking into a light-filled open area that used to be all enclosed.

[firebrand]

Elmore Leonard has a novel called Killshot about an ironworker. A thrill a minute, and great characters, as usual.

He also did a tribute to the Marines in The Hunted. You have to read a few chapters before the marine appears, but then the marine takes over the story. One of my favorites.