Central Waterfront in San Francisco City and County, California — The American West (Pacific Coastal)

Crane 14

Photographed by Andrew Ruppenstein, October 30, 2020

1. Crane 14 Marker

Inscription. Crane 14 is an American Hoist & Derrick Co. 50-ton Whirley Crane, erected by the U.S. government in 1941 atop Slip 4 when the slip was rebuilt in 1941 for the vastly expanded World War II shipbuilding program. Crane 14 and 30 were nicknamed Nick and Nora, after the characters in the popular Thin Man films of the 1930s and 1940s.

Cranes were an integral part of the hull construction process for lifting heavy steel plates, and allowed for the use of prefabricated sub-assemblies. This changed the very layout and design of shipyard complexes during World War II.

Erected 2020 by Union Iron Works Historic District.

Topics. This historical marker is listed in this topic list: Industry & Commerce. A significant historical year for this entry is 1941.

Location. 37° 45.783′ N, 122° 23.207′ W. Marker is in San Francisco, California, in San Francisco City and County. It is in Central Waterfront. It can be reached from Illinois Street. Touch for map. Marker is in this post office area: San Francisco CA 94107, United States of America. Touch for directions.

Regionally, this marker is on the Coast Ranges. It is also on

Paid Advertisement

Click or scan to see
this page online

the American Pacific Coast.

Globally, it is in North America,

on the Ring of Fire,

on the Pacific Rim,

in the Western Hemisphere,

in the Western World,

and in the Anglosphere.

Historically, it finds itself in what was once New Spain

and also Mexico’s Alta California.

Other nearby markers. At least 8 other markers are within walking distance of this marker: Building 49 (within shouting distance of this marker); Yard Evolution: New Power and Production (within shouting distance of this marker); Industrial Architecture (within shouting distance of this marker); Yard Layout: Form Follows Function (within shouting distance of this marker); Industrialization of the Shoreline (about 300 feet away, measured in a direct line); Ship Propeller Drive Shaft (about 300 feet away); Steel Lathe (about 400 feet away); Radial Drill Press (about 400 feet away). Touch for a list and map of all markers in San Francisco.

More about this marker. The marker is located (not so coincidentally) in Crane Cove Park (opened October 2020), directly
beneath the crane.

Crane 14 Marker - wide view image. Click for full size.

Photographed by Andrew Ruppenstein, October 30, 2020

2. Crane 14 Marker - wide view

Although difficult to see here, the marker is attached to the railing directly beneath the crane.

Crane 14 (from the north) image. Click for full size.

Photographed by Andrew Ruppenstein, October 30, 2020

3. Crane 14 (from the north)

Crane 14 (from the south) image. Click for full size.

Photographed by Andrew Ruppenstein, October 30, 2020

4. Crane 14 (from the south)

Credits. This page was last revised on February 7, 2023. It was originally submitted on November 5, 2020, by Andrew Ruppenstein of Lamorinda, California. This page has been viewed 824 times since then and 115 times this year. Photos: 1, 2, 3, 4. submitted on November 5, 2020, by Andrew Ruppenstein of Lamorinda, California.