• Gerald Martin says precious port heritage is in danger of becoming scrap metal.

Fremantle Ports is scrapping two of its four heritage cranes, cannibalising what it can of the doomed cranes for spare parts.

The port admitted to the plan following questions from the Herald about the state of the rusting pre-war crane next to the E Shed markets.

“There are four cranes of historical interest on Victoria Quay, one of which is adjacent to E Shed and the others located in the slipway precinct near the maritime museum,” said Ports media lumper Ainslie de Vos.

“Subject to heritage approvals, the plan is to retain, conserve and interpret two of the cranes. The other two cranes, one of which is the crane which was relocated to E Shed in the mid-1990s, would be dismantled.”

The Herald’s questions had been prompted by retired engineer Gerald Martin, who told us the E Shed crane was so badly rusted that without sand-blasting and repainting within two years, it would be unsalvageable.

“It saddens me to see an old classic piece of WA history with its rivets and bolts only just ‘still holding hands’,” the Kardinya resident told the Herald.

“Give it another year or two and it will evolve from a historic time capsule to a heap of rust.”

Mr Martin says the 3-tonne crane would have been used to heave sacks, barrels and boxes in nets from the holds of steamships by the port’s wharfies. “For minimum cost, good sand-blasting, a decent paint job and annual grease up may well still save the icon from the gas axe for the next 50 years or more.”

Ms de Vos says the WA state heritage office has been “advised of the proposed approach” to demolish the two cranes.

by STEVE GRANT