Harland & Wolff Cranes - Belfast - Northern Ireland
May 22 2023 | Tagged: United Kingdom
The twin yellow Harland & Wolff Cranes, Samson and Goliath dominate the Belfast skyline.
They were built in 1974 and 1969, respectively, and the yellow cranes have become synonymous with the city of Belfast.
They were built in 1974 and 1969, respectively, and the yellow cranes have become synonymous with the city of Belfast.
Harland & Wolff was founded by Sir Edward James Harland and Gustav Wilhelm Wolff in 1861.
White Star ocean liners RMS Olympic and RMS Titanic were built by Harland & Wolff here in Belfast, as was the SS Nomadic, the only surviving White Star Line ship, which was built to transport passengers from the dock to both the Olympic and Titanic in Cherbourg, the port itself unable to accommodate such large vessels.
Harland & Wolff built most of the ships for White Star Line and HMS Belfast (see below) which is now operated by the Imperial War Museum on the Thames in London
White Star ocean liners RMS Olympic and RMS Titanic were built by Harland & Wolff here in Belfast, as was the SS Nomadic, the only surviving White Star Line ship, which was built to transport passengers from the dock to both the Olympic and Titanic in Cherbourg, the port itself unable to accommodate such large vessels.
Harland & Wolff built most of the ships for White Star Line and HMS Belfast (see below) which is now operated by the Imperial War Museum on the Thames in London
Goliath was built in 1969 by Harland & Wolff themselves and has an overall height of 316 ft. (96m) and Samson, pictured in the foreground above, the bigger of the two built in 1974, has an overall height of 348 ft. (106m).
Both have a span of 460ft (140m) and a working load of 840 tonnes.
Harland & Wolff went into administration in 2019 and again in 2024 but the yellow cranes, Samson and Goliath remain.
Both have a span of 460ft (140m) and a working load of 840 tonnes.
Harland & Wolff went into administration in 2019 and again in 2024 but the yellow cranes, Samson and Goliath remain.
Most photos I have seen are taken in Black & White. It seems strange to see them in colour.
Geek Fact: My buddy Jonny Blair who comes from Bangor in County Down, tells me that one of the cranes used to be white.
For more Facts about Harland and Wolff check out their website.
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