Orkney Image Library

Coles crane owned by Orkney Harbour Commissioners (who operated Kirkwall, Stronsay, Sanday & Westray Piers prior to OIC taking over about 1974) which I think came to the Pier about 1964 Regn# was BS7354 I think.
Prior to that ships discharged with their own derricks and Tubs holding about a tonne were filled by dockers using shovels were used to discharge coal, grain or Agricultural lime.
Geordie Mair was the first crane driver followed by Ian Wilson then Owen Cooper. The Coles crane was diesel-electric I think and could be a bit troublesome. It was later replaced by a Jones crane and sold to P A Sutherland contractors.

Drove a Coles diesel-electric crane exactly the same when I worked for Lilley Construction re-building them Pole Star Pier in Stromness 1979 -81, They certainly were unpredictable especially on a day off very heavy driving rain and the water got in among the electric contacts. You never knew what movement it was going to do next when you pulled a lever.

The one that ended up at P A Sutherlands was a bit tempremenal to say the least. As Charlie says, the contacts on the main relays were a bit of a pain to keep clean and working. I spent a good few hours tryimg to keep it going at the hanger whilst they lifted house sections