Bethlehem Steel Corp was in the business of shipping steel of all types, plates, ingots, beams, and channel.  The only company they used for shipping was Calmar Steamship Company.  Calmar was a wholly owned subsidiary of BSC.

A most memorable day was on a Calmar.  We were told we would discharge plate and then 120-foot beams.  I stepped off the hatch to see how long it was.  It hatch opening was sixty feet.  How could we lift out 120-foot beams?

We finished the plate, then CLYDE , the foreman, shouted to the sling men.

“Give us the set of 7/8 inch, one 20 foot, and one 24 foot, the 20 footer has a all red hook, the 24 footer has a red hook and blue saddle.”

My next question was how would the beams be taken away from the ships side?

As the gear was being changed I noticed three rail cars hooked together sitting north of the ship.  The rail car in the middle had a modified turntable in both ends of the car. The turntable would allow for some movement of the beams.  The railroad had known about the supper long beams for some time and prepared the cars.

CLYDE was, down the hatch, to make sure we got things correct.

“We must hook up so one end is high and of course the other end will be low.  The winch driver will carefully lift and keep the high-end going to clear the coaming. Keep an eye on the load at all times.”

The slings are wrapped around the beams; we put in at the sling point some of the short 4 x 4 blocking, that would prevent the beams getting chewed by the sling. As we put the slings around the beams FRANK, reminded me “the eyes of the slings go on the same side of the beams.” He later explained that if the slings have to be pulled it is best to have them in the same direction.  When all men were clear and ready, a signal was given to the winch driver, ART, to take the load to the dock.

We got it correct, the high end was first to go up. The mid section and low end were still not showing signs of movement.  The winch driver continued to hoist, one of the stevedores said that the winch driver is taking the high end to that corner so as to clear the coming. ART, the winch driver took the load to the side of the hatch to make the load turn.  It did just what he wanted.  The load turned, and ART took the load over the rail cars.   

With cooperation of the dock support the center of the load was centered over the center car, Now the load can be landed for equalize weight in the rail car. The dock support used pike poles to steady the load.  The pike poles are used to save fingers and toes. It looks good; the load was centered over the railcar.  Land it, unhook and we can get another load before lunch. Going home it felt very good, as there were no reported accidents or injury.  I learned some pointers and in the future I will use them.