'Goliath' & 'Samson' cranes at

The Department's description

Exterior description and setting

A pair of very large bridge cranes, each with a maximum lifting capacity of 840 tonnes, which were built in conjunction with a large dry dock between 1969 and 1972. The cranes each run on tracks and are aligned with the dry dock. The whole ensemble was designed as a ship building and assembly facility. The cranes were designed by the German heavy engineering company of Krupp.

First built was that to the south west side which is known as Goliath was constructed in 1969, while the second which is some 10 m metres taller and standing at approximately 206 metres is Samson which was completed in 1972.

When constructed these were believed to be the largest in the UK.

Historical information

Evolving from a small shipbuilding company owned by Robert Hickson, Harland and Wolff officially came into being on the 11th of April 1861 with the signing of a formal partnership between Edward Harland and Gustav Wolff. The company steadily rose in size and strength to the mid 20th century when it employed some 65,000 men in plants throughout the UK; at the time it was known as ‘Shipbuilders to the World’.
In the later half of the 20th century the focus of shipbuilding steadily moved away from the UK. In an attempt to remain competitive, in the late 1960s Harland and Wolff undertook a bold redevelopment programme which included the construction of two large bridge cranes, a huge dry dock and two large industrial workshops.
The cranes were designed and constructed by Krupp, a German heavy engineering manufacturer. It is ironic to note that during WWII Krupp manufactured munitions for the war German effort. A small part of those efforts were directed against the Belfast ship yards during a number of air raids. Some 25 years after the end of the conflict Krupp came to Belfast to build these magnificent new cranes.
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Goliath, which stands some 196 metres high was constructed in 1969. Samson, which stands at 206 metres was constructed in 1972. These were built in conjunction with the dry dock.

Criteria for listing: architectural interest

Not listed

Criteria for listing: historic interest

Not listed

Evaluation

Extremely large bridge cranes constructed in conjunction with a large dry dock, between 1967 and 1972. These cranes are protected through scheduling.