The 46m (150ft) high crane has been a landmark on the city’s horizon for a hundred years, and is a powerful symbol of the city’s former industrial might. The Titan is on the west side of the fitting out basin of Clydebank Shipyard. It was designed by Sir William Arrol, architect of London’s famous Tower Bridge, amongst other structures, in 1907. Sir William built five Titan cranes for Clydebank shipyards, and 14 of the giant cantilever cranes around the UK.
In 1938, the crane was upgraded to 200t, to cope with increasing lifting needs at the shipyard. It has withstood attacks by the German airforce, on March 13 1942, and the general decline of British shipbuilding and manufacturing. It is now being redeveloped by the local regeneration body, Clydebank Re-built.
Under the regeneration plan, architects Collective Architecture and DO Architecture have designed a lift to carry visitors to the engine housing at the top of the crane, able to hold 40 people at a time. The crane was ceremonially opened yesterday, and will be open from Friday to Monday until October.
Redeveloping the crane. Titan redevelop The crane is illuminated at night Titan illuminated An artist’s impression of the redeveloped crane Titan impression Clydebank’s Titan crane Titan skyline
