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Maritime History A Smooth Recovery Awaits Subsequent to the diving research that was performed on the sub, Friends of the Hunley had amassed a salvage plan for the raising, which was halted during June when the initial crane that had been selected for the job was cited as not fit to perform the offshore raising. Friends of the Hunley contacted Titan Maritime, based in Fort Lauderdale, Fla. to pick up the pieces. Titan enlisted its Jack-Up Crane Barge, Karlissa-B, a 170 x 80 ft. (51.7 x 24.4 m) six-leg crane barge, boasting DeLong jacks and 318 metric ton Manitowac platform ringer crane. Rather than going with a conventional three or four-legged jack up crane, Friends of the Hunley opted to use Titan's six-legged barge due to the deli- cate nature of the project. There were specific concerns that a "punch through," would occur (which some- times happens with a three or four- legged crane), meaning that one of the cranes legs may become submerged deeper within the ocean's surface, forc- ing it to tip over. More than 30 years of experience with Atlas® rope in tough conditions have shown that it is the mooring line for large vessels. Atlas rope has unique dynamic properties, making it both reliable and extremely cost- effective in long-term use. A report by Captain Kurd A. von Ziegner. an experienced mooring adviser, confirms that Atlas rope is superior to conventional mooring lines. Atlas® rope is produced with Atlas® monofi! using strict specifications from Bayer Faser GmbH. The unparalleled advantages of Atlas rope: • extremely high flexing resistance, giving a long service life • very high tensile strength • faster mooring and unmooring, cuts time and costs by up to 50% • high load-bearing capacity with low stretch ensures constant positioning of vessel • excellent absorption of movement caused by swell, wind squalls and passing ships • absolutely no maintenance required If you would like further information, ask for our • brochure on Atlas rope • the report on various types of mooring lines • addresses of Atlas rope manufacturers Bayer Faser GmbH M-TE Atlas rope, D-41538 Dormagen, Fax:+492133/5155 70 atAS ® ROPE THE ORIGINAL Atlas rope - 30 years of safety Bayer Team Titan: Pictured (L-R) is Hunley Salvage team: Ken Bradford, crane operator; Colin Trepte, barge cap- tain; Dan Schwall, project manager; Jenkins Mont- gomery, crane operator; Oscar Lopez, jacking engi- neer; and Hank Bergman, chief engineer. Titan arrived onsite on July 21 and just two days later, the crane was in position, where it remained until August 12 - four days after the raising occurred. Accord- ing to Titan's Dan Schwall, a member of Hunley's salvage team, who served as project manager, positioning of the crane was key in this process. "Since the Karlissa-B was only a few feet away from the Hunley, a concern was that one of the legs would contact the Hunley, ultimately causing damage," Schwall said. On its final judgment day, August 8, 2000, a gathering of spectators both on land and offshore, assembled to view an historic event in U.S. maritime history. The most crucial moment was when Titan's crane operator, Jenkins Mont- gomery, who according to Schwall, "was definitely the right man for the job," raised the Hunley out of the Har- bor. "He made it (the raising) look easy," Schwall added. Once the sub was brought to the sur- face, another crucial moment awaited the Hunley still had to be safely placed on the barge. What followed was a silence described by both Claire Peachey and Schwall, that was so you could hear a pin drop until the sub was safely placed onto the barge — a crucial moment for all involved. "The most challenging part was the placing of Hunley onboard the barge and being as sensitive as possible," Schwall said. Crane operator Montgomery, pre- vailed and the Hunley was safely placed on the barge, where it was subsequently towed to a building on the former Charleston Navy base, which was outfit- ted specifically for the Hunley. Current- ly submerged in a tank, the sub is cov- ered with a layer of marine corrosion to prevent any cracks that would be caused due to drying. While the main event may be com- plete, there is still much to be done. Through thorough examinations and X- rays, researchers will determine what is the best way to get inside the vessel so that maybe the mystery that has baffled historians since 1864 can be solved. Atlas rope optimum properties = optimum cost-effectiveness 62 Circle 371 on Reader Service Card Maritime Reporter/Engineering News
