December 15, 2006 (afternoon):Unbuilding the last of the Grace truss
I think it is afternoon - about 14:44 - my Singapore time, East coast time
and Sparky camera times are off by 12 hours or so - but we'll straighten
this out. Here it is clear that Manny and the ironworkers are unbuilding
a 2nd section of the Grace superstructure - so I'm guessing this is
afternoon. Afterall, Sparky has to have lunch some time. So here is
Manny
and an overview of progress to date (but which date, I'm uncertain). The
triangle section is gone (on the right) which I think was done Friday
morning
and Carlos, chillin a bit
and a big smile from Stan
and a small smile from Nugget with fuzz continuing to grow from his chin
Setting up the cables to stablize the next section
and of course, a Sparky art photo
and this one is even better. Gives a good idea of the boom length
Nugget starts cutting to attach one set of cables
while Carlos is fiddling around with the other cable
For me, this is the surgical skill displayed by Carlos, Manny, Nugget and Stan -
placing the cables so that the to-be-removed segment is pretty well balanced.
Once on the Pearman on ramp, Nugget and Stan actually used a measuring tape
to position the lift bar over one of the concrete girders. Here, there is
no lift bar - so, really remarkable skill required to correctly place
the lift cables.
More work on cable placement
Carlos wrapping the cable through a hole at the top
and securing it- and I'm wrong - there is a lift bar!
being observed from the Sea Breeze
Not sure what is happening here
Cutting the base of the vertical truss
and its free
and the other side is free (Stan's work?)
Now Nugget (closer with the red hard hat) and Carlos (far with the
white hard hat) are cutting the cross member
A good view of the cut cross bracing
Nugget cutting
and Carlos cutting
A good view of Carlos
and Nugget cutting
while Joe is doing a divide and conquor cut on the ground sections
Nugget's section appears free
and Manny takes over
A good view ov both free sections
Then Manny starts his "lift and separate" protocol.
Click to watch Manny does it again
(3 MB mpg)
up and away
as he rotates it east
and slowly lowers it
now in front of the Grace pier
Almost down
then some more rotation
and slowly lowering it
with a small twist (rotation)
and gently lays it down
to its temporary resting place (Joe's unbuilding corner)