Big red hammer seeks identity

It's here - but it still needs a name.

Readers of the Otago Daily Times have the chance to name a custom-built, 14-tonne hammer soon to be used in the new Dunedin Hospital build.

The 3.9m tool has had a fresh lick of red paint, but is in need of its own identity.

Readers have already suggested a few names, such as "Big Boy" and "Thumper".

Two readers suggested the name "Grond", a reference to a mythical warhammer in The Lord of the Rings.

Giving large industrial equipment names has been a trend since the suggestion of "Boaty McBoatface" topped an online poll to name a British research ship in 2016.

Controversially, the UK Government instead named the vessel RRS Sir David Attenborough.

A similar competition was held in 2017 to name a 50m crane used at the University of Otago Dental School, which resulted in the name "Reachie McClaw".

Standing beside the unnamed 14-tonne pile driving hammer yesterday are (from left) site supervisor Simon Ball, project manager Phil Robertson and site engineer Todd Sherlaw. PHOTO: STEPHEN JAQUIERY

Site engineer Todd Sherlaw said there were 78 piles to be installed at the outpatient building and about 350 at the inpatient building.

The crew were aiming to install one pile a day.

The hammer would be lifted 3m into the air before each use.

The driving would begin in mid-May.