Locust Point Industrial Area in Baltimore, Maryland — The American Northeast (Mid-Atlantic)
Bethlehem Steel Whirley Crane, 1942
Photographed By Devry Becker Jones (CC0), January 8, 2022
1. Bethlehem Steel Whirley Crane, 1942 Marker
This 100-foot-high whirley crane—so called because its cab rotated a full 360 degrees—was one of many similar machines once located at Bethlehem Steel's Fairfield shipyard near Curtis Bay. The crane helped build nearly 500 Liberty and Victory ships during World War II.
After the war, the crane was moved to Bethlehem Steel's Key Highway shipyard, which soon became the largest maritime repair facility on the East Coast.
Over the next four decades, the crane was kept busy repairing ships and converting naval vessels to commercial service.
The crane was retired from active service in 1982 when Bethlehem Steel sold the Key Highway yard. In 1991, the crane was moved to its new home at the Baltimore Museum of Industry.
Thanks to the outpouring of support from our community, we were able to restore and repaint the crane in 2019 and light it in 2020.
Erected by Baltimore Museum of Industry.
Topics. This historical marker is listed in these topic lists: Industry & Commerce • War, World II • Waterways & Vessels. A significant historical year for this entry is 1982.
Location. 39° 16.415′ N, 76° 36.096′ W. Marker is in Baltimore, Maryland. It is in the Locust Point Industrial Area. Marker is at the intersection
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Other nearby markers. At least 8 other markers are within walking distance of this marker. Platt and Company Oyster Packers (within shouting distance of this marker); a different marker also named Platt and Company Oyster Packers (within shouting distance of this marker); Working Point by David Hess (within shouting distance of this marker); Knabe Piano Factory Cupola (about 300 feet away, measured in a direct line); Steam Tug Baltimore (about 300 feet away); Bethlehem Steel Shipyard Crane (about 300 feet away); Hull of the Gov. R.M. McLane (about 300 feet away); Raymond R. Allen Court (approx. 0.2 miles away). Touch for a list and map of all markers in Baltimore.
Credits. This page was last revised on January 9, 2022. It was originally submitted on January 9, 2022, by Devry Becker Jones of Washington, District of Columbia. This page has been viewed 150 times since then and 31 times this year. Photos: 1, 2. submitted on January 9, 2022, by Devry Becker Jones of Washington, District of Columbia.
