Samson and Goliath - Belfast Cranes

The Harland and Wolff cranes, towering over the Belfast skyline, are not just engineering marvels; they are Belfast. These iconic structures, known as Samson and Goliath have witnessed the rise and fall of shipbuilding in Northern Ireland and have become synonymous with the city itself.

TL;DR

This blog post delves into the history and legacy of these cranes.

Gantry Cranes

The cranes, known locally and affectionately as Samson and Goliath - in that order. The first, Goliath, was completed in July 1969. Samson was completed in May 1974. I've only ever known the cityscape as having the two cranes.

The cranes are pretty much identical - same paint work, same design, with a span of 140m and working load of a massive 840 tonnes. Goliath has an overall height of 96m, and Samson has another 10m at 106m. When the cranes are close together the difference is visible.

Landmarks

Their bright yellow colour and distinctive shapes made them easily recognisable, and they soon became a source of pride for the local community, and still are today. You know your home when you spot them - and that is easily done from all over the city, but especially good when coming in from the air and landing at the close by City Airport, or arriving by boat into the near by port.

Decline of the Shipbuilding Industry

By the 1990s, the shipyard had closed its doors.

Many feared that these iconic structures would be dismantled or left to deteriorate.

However, the cranes were granted listed status, protecting them from demolition and ensuring their preservation for future generations.

The area around the cranes continues to be redeveloped - the Titanic Quarter, is a busy redevelopment project, and has transformed the former shipyard into a hub for tourism, education, and business. The cranes serve as a perfect backdrop, reminding visitors of the city's past whilst looking towards a promising future.

As Belfast continues to change, the Harland and Wolff cranes are a constant.