A cab from a Port Otago crane (in the centre of the picture) is lowered to the ground as workers start dismantling a container crane in Port Chalmers. Photo by Craig Baxter.
In that time it has worked nearly 30,000 hours, but it is all coming to an inglorious end, with contractors last week starting the three- to four-week job of dismantling the crane which started work on January 29, 1977.
Port Otago's civil engineer, Andy Pullar, said most of the steel would end up with local merchants or be sent to China for recycling, although a small amount would be used for spare parts.
Mr Pullar said the No 1 crane had developed a few minor mechanical problems, which had helped seal its fate.
The second Paceco crane, which started work on the same day, would remain in service, giving the port company three operative container cranes for at least the next three years.
