Sparky, just as a reality check has been restoring his building skills - here
a new walkway - the finished part.
Meanwhile here is the current state of the Mt. Pleasant observation pier
and looking back toward's Mt. Pleasant. When I left in March - where there
were only footings and pilings now stands a structure.
The shore-side origin of the observation pier.
and a few remaining Grace feet
![](https://s3.amazonaws.com/s3.oldcooperriverbridge.org/small/oct_13_sparky_013.jpg)
What used to be the Grace on ramp
![](https://s3.amazonaws.com/s3.oldcooperriverbridge.org/small/oct_13_sparky_017.jpg)
and the take-off point
![](https://s3.amazonaws.com/s3.oldcooperriverbridge.org/small/oct_13_sparky_018.jpg)
Cousin Arthurs watching over Grace's feet
![](https://s3.amazonaws.com/s3.oldcooperriverbridge.org/small/oct_13_sparky_020.jpg)
and watching over the growing observation pier
![](https://s3.amazonaws.com/s3.oldcooperriverbridge.org/small/oct_13_sparky_021.jpg)
Meanwhile, on the Charleston side of the river, here is a view of the
footings and support for supporting the mid-span section of the Grace
truss
![](https://s3.amazonaws.com/s3.oldcooperriverbridge.org/small/oct_13_sparky_022.jpg)
and the support structure
![](https://s3.amazonaws.com/s3.oldcooperriverbridge.org/small/oct_13_sparky_023.jpg)
I think this is the J. Cashman, the 995 cleaner-upper that is moving residual
concrete and rebar debris from the river bottom to adjacent barges. There
are probably a few
Frank fragments of T-3 here - left over from
Mickey's March 22 farewell
![](https://s3.amazonaws.com/s3.oldcooperriverbridge.org/small/oct_13_sparky_025.jpg)
A closer look at the 995
![](https://s3.amazonaws.com/s3.oldcooperriverbridge.org/small/oct_13_sparky_033.jpg)
The remaining sections of the Pearman and Grace trusses as well
as Grace's crutch
![](https://s3.amazonaws.com/s3.oldcooperriverbridge.org/small/oct_13_sparky_030.jpg)
and a closer look at the feet of Grace's crutches
![](https://s3.amazonaws.com/s3.oldcooperriverbridge.org/small/oct_13_sparky_034.jpg)
Looking up at the support
![](https://s3.amazonaws.com/s3.oldcooperriverbridge.org/small/oct_13_sparky_035.jpg)
and looking along the long axis of the truss - look at that symmetry - nice
work!
![](https://s3.amazonaws.com/s3.oldcooperriverbridge.org/small/oct_13_sparky_036.jpg)
Additional casing
![](https://s3.amazonaws.com/s3.oldcooperriverbridge.org/small/oct_13_sparky_037.jpg)
and poking their head up - with Chris' 7550 in the background
![](https://s3.amazonaws.com/s3.oldcooperriverbridge.org/small/oct_13_sparky_038.jpg)
A look from the other side
![](https://s3.amazonaws.com/s3.oldcooperriverbridge.org/small/oct_13_sparky_040.jpg)
The Port worksite
![](https://s3.amazonaws.com/s3.oldcooperriverbridge.org/small/oct_13_sparky_042.jpg)
From the other side - a good view of the 7550 and both Grace and Pearman
trusses
![](https://s3.amazonaws.com/s3.oldcooperriverbridge.org/small/oct_13_sparky_044.jpg)
and more casings (?)
![](https://s3.amazonaws.com/s3.oldcooperriverbridge.org/small/oct_13_sparky_043.jpg)
And to the side - sections of the supports removed a couple of weeks ago
![](https://s3.amazonaws.com/s3.oldcooperriverbridge.org/small/oct_13_sparky_045.jpg)
But Sparky is trapped - a 30 min wait while the train folks change shifts
![](https://s3.amazonaws.com/s3.oldcooperriverbridge.org/small/oct_13_sparky_046.jpg)
You can see that he escaped - I have his photos. Stay tuned