May 8, 2006:
Unbuilding continues
From Singapore, it looks like Charleston is having its share of rain and
clouds. But Sparky got out to survey the action around the Grace and
Pearman Sites. Fishing going on around the Grace site as well as Demolition
Dynamics preparing to drop the west Grace superstructures. Mickey's team
is drilling something with the John Henry while Nugget and his acrobat
friends are unbuilding the Pearman cantilever section.
The day must start with a view of P-3. It is finished except for Mickey's
part
![](https://s3.amazonaws.com/s3.oldcooperriverbridge.org/small/may_07_sparky_001_P3.jpg)
from the side
![](https://s3.amazonaws.com/s3.oldcooperriverbridge.org/small/may_07_sparky_007_P3.jpg)
Here is the Ravenel bridge and Grace / Pearman worksite
![](https://s3.amazonaws.com/s3.oldcooperriverbridge.org/small/may_07_sparky_008_ravenel.jpg)
I think this is Carlos Perez of flag planting fame (after the great Mammoet
lowered the Grace main span),
cutting a section of the recently harvested Pearman
![](https://s3.amazonaws.com/s3.oldcooperriverbridge.org/small/may_07_sparky_009_grace.jpg)
More cutting.
![](https://s3.amazonaws.com/s3.oldcooperriverbridge.org/small/may_07_sparky_021_divide_conquor.jpg)
from different approaches
![](https://s3.amazonaws.com/s3.oldcooperriverbridge.org/small/may_07_sparky_032_burn.jpg)
Meanwhile, this looks like Nugget - high on his trapeze
![](https://s3.amazonaws.com/s3.oldcooperriverbridge.org/small/may_07_sparky_036_nugget.jpg)
While over at the east Grace worksite,
just fishing for underwater sections of Grace
![](https://s3.amazonaws.com/s3.oldcooperriverbridge.org/small/may_07_sparky_045_grace_worksite.jpg)
At the west Grace worksite, this looks like Oscar and one of his team
in the elevator
![](https://s3.amazonaws.com/s3.oldcooperriverbridge.org/small/may_07_sparky_053_oscar_elevator.jpg)
and to the left - unbuilding the Pearman continues with Nugget and his
fellow acrobats on top and Carlos below
![](https://s3.amazonaws.com/s3.oldcooperriverbridge.org/small/may_07_sparky_046_pearman_unbuild.jpg)
Getting ready to lift a section of the Pearman
![](https://s3.amazonaws.com/s3.oldcooperriverbridge.org/small/may_07_sparky_050_pearman.jpg)
Lifting it up
![](https://s3.amazonaws.com/s3.oldcooperriverbridge.org/small/may_07_sparky_057_pearman_lift.jpg)
and lowering it
![](https://s3.amazonaws.com/s3.oldcooperriverbridge.org/small/may_07_sparky_059_pearman_lower.jpg)
on to the waiting barge below
![](https://s3.amazonaws.com/s3.oldcooperriverbridge.org/small/may_07_sparky_061_pearman_lower.jpg)
Here is a two burner unbuild
![](https://s3.amazonaws.com/s3.oldcooperriverbridge.org/small/may_07_sparky_071_2_burner.jpg)
Now the crossbeam is free
![](https://s3.amazonaws.com/s3.oldcooperriverbridge.org/small/may_07_sparky_076_free.jpg)
Is Richard driving the crane?
![](https://s3.amazonaws.com/s3.oldcooperriverbridge.org/small/may_07_sparky_080_crane.jpg)
More cutting on the Pearman
![](https://s3.amazonaws.com/s3.oldcooperriverbridge.org/small/may_07_sparky_091_pearman_cut.jpg)
until the L is free
![](https://s3.amazonaws.com/s3.oldcooperriverbridge.org/small/may_07_sparky_094_pearman_cut.jpg)
then lift
![](https://s3.amazonaws.com/s3.oldcooperriverbridge.org/small/may_07_sparky_100_pearman_lift.jpg)
and lower to the barge
![](https://s3.amazonaws.com/s3.oldcooperriverbridge.org/small/may_07_sparky_108_barge.jpg)
Michael's shiney new machine
![](https://s3.amazonaws.com/s3.oldcooperriverbridge.org/small/may_07_sparky_110_michael.jpg)
And on the barge, Carlos is busy unbuilding harvested pieces of the Pearman
![](https://s3.amazonaws.com/s3.oldcooperriverbridge.org/small/may_07_sparky_119_cut.jpg)
And here is Mickey's team, drilling a substructure with the John Henry
![](https://s3.amazonaws.com/s3.oldcooperriverbridge.org/small/may_07_sparky_125_john_henry.jpg)
Carlos burning
![](https://s3.amazonaws.com/s3.oldcooperriverbridge.org/small/may_07_sparky_135_chucky.jpg)
and home by Sharon's water taxi
![](https://s3.amazonaws.com/s3.oldcooperriverbridge.org/small/may_07_sparky_153_sharon.jpg)