ALBUM - Electric capstans, foot controlled for moving the coal wagons with ropes under the cranes to lift and unload into the ships.

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DescriptionHas anyone noticed these still on Greymouth wharf near the old crane site, They are electric capstans, foot controlled for moving the coal wagons with ropes under the cranes to lift and unload into the ships.
England manufacted with huge history to the company Stothert and Pitt, quite amazing really.
Stothert & Pitt - Wikipedia
I wonder how long they have been there.
Apparently they were good Anchor ropes as well so sometimes went missing.Map^[1]External LinkWIKKIPEDIAContributorColin Waterman

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Location (city or town)GreymouthLandmark (Place)Electric capstansEventElectric capstans, foot controlled for moving the coal wagons with ropes under the cranes to lift and unload into the ships.

Category Information

Category TagShipping

From Facebook

Date Created13th January 2026CommentsBrian McIntyre
I played with them in the early 1950s

Robert Porter
I use to set them going and sit on them when they were spinning

Roger O'Regan
Capstans are so efficient. Never be accepted today though.

Tony Kokshoorn
When we were kids in the 60's we would have turns sitting on them while others stood on the metal switch which rotated the capstan. The wharf was our fairground.

Jack Devine
Great fun when we were kids.twist the foot pedal to raise it, and on you get for a ride. Very small merry go round.

Graham Schaef
They were installed at the same time as the Electric Cranes, 1952 Aprox. Prior to that, there were hydraulic powered ones using the same powerhouse as the hydraulic cranes

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ALBUM - Electric capstans, foot controlled for moving the coal wagons with ropes under the cranes to lift and unload into the ships.

Editing is temporarily disabled