A different wheeled device from the usual fare on this blog. I figured though if you're into old motorcycles and bicycles you've probably got an appreciation for other old tat...
My seafaring has taken me to Japan regularly of late and I've spent a little while in the port city of Sasebo. The Naval yard in Sasebo was founded in 1886 and quickly grew to become one of the Japanese Navy's most important bases. Sasebo is on the Southern Island of Kyushu in the Nagasaki Prefecture.
The aforementioned 'Titan' is a giant crane situated in the SSK Shipyard in Sasebo. SSK occupies the site of the former Imperial Navy Arsenal and was founded in 1946. The US Navy is also resident in the yard and carries a strong presence.
Something I find wonderful in Japan is that useful items are preserved and kept in use, there is little modernisation for the sake of it. The Titan dates from 1913 and was built in Scotland. It is the oldest and one of the largest cranes on site but amongst its fellows there are several that are more than 80 years old and still in use.
There is a fascinating story behind the Titan. I'm a firm believer that if a tale has already been well told then there's little point in paraphrasing it so if you would like to further your knowledge of the Titan I would suggest taking a look here: https://www.wayfarerdaves.com/?p=5581
