Scrapper 1 focused on loading scrap from scows onto a bulker anchored in the Upper Bay. Since then many posts, such as this one, have shown loaded scows pushed hither and yon in the harbor, and like this one, even down an ice-encrusted river.
Today’s post features a unit and a crew heading out bright and early to load scrap that once was the machinery of daily life. In the shot below, I get the sense that the heat exhausting out the stack has just erased a segment of the Bayonne Bridge roadbed, cauterizing it.
Cauterizing is an extreme first aid term I’ve read about and grateful I’ve never had to perform.
I use the term here because this crew, small company, and 1960 machinery engaged in commerce illustrate how like a single organism really are the sixth boro and by extension the supply chain they fit so smoothly within.
Happy harvest, gentlemen.
All the rest could not happen without your part being played.
All photos and sentiments strictly by Will Van Dorp.
9 comments
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April 11, 2017 at 12:57 pm
Daniel Meeter
So why didn’t they drop the pieces of the lower bridge deck onto scows or barges?
April 11, 2017 at 12:58 pm
Daniel Meeter
Maybe so to not cause blockage of the channel?
April 11, 2017 at 2:17 pm
tugster
That’s part of it, and another issue is current/stability. Relevant photos coming soon.
April 11, 2017 at 4:14 pm
Tony A
I was hoping that they would drop some scrap in it as I came under the bridge:). All is not lost though. They are only trucking the scrap as far as Duraport from there it will go by water to it’s buyer.
April 11, 2017 at 4:17 pm
Tony A
For anyone interested the tug is 1959 formerly the Roger Williams, now called Eric R. Thornton.
April 11, 2017 at 5:14 pm
Don Lake.
I think that might be an old M&J TRACY coal barge,probably the last of their steel barge fleet,
April 12, 2017 at 4:47 pm
Harry T Scholer
An old barge still earning a living:) And speaking of old barges Will, do you have any photos of the 111 year old cement barge,still in service on the Lakes? Don’t know the name but she was a ship in 1906.
April 12, 2017 at 4:58 pm
tugster
J. B. Ford? I think she is gone: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/J._B._Ford
April 13, 2017 at 5:39 pm
Tony A
Did you mean Challenger? http://www.professionalmariner.com/June-July-2014/oldest-laker-converted-to-barge/