Ajax (crane barge)

Ajax

Ajax crane barge, Nov. 17, 1914, in the Gaillard Cut at the Panama canal
History
Name:	Ajax
Operator:	Panama Canal Zone
Ordered:	April 21, 1913
Builder:	Deutsche Maschine Fabrik AG
Cost:	$837,500
Completed:	1914
General characteristics
Class and type:	Floating crane
Tonnage:	4000
Length:	46.25 m (151 ft 9 in) 150 feet
Beam:	27.54 m (90 ft 4 in) 80 feet
Depth:	4.8 m (15 ft 9 in)

Ajax is floating crane built to install canal locks, other large parts of the Panama canal and help in ship repairs. Ajax and her sister crane, the Hercules, were the largest floating cranes at time of completion, able to install the massive Panama Canal locks. Ajex could lift max of 250 tons to a height of 21 feet, with a close reach. At Ajex's far reach she could lift a max of 100 tons. Ajax and Hercules were built by Deutsche Maschine Fabrik AG (1910-1977), (that later became part of Demag, in Wilhelmshaven, Germany. After the Ajax and Hercules, Deutsche Maschine Fabrik AG later made the Langer Heinrich, or Long Henry in 1915, in use for 100 years.

The contract for the two cranes was signed on April 21, 1913. The cranes were the revolving type, at a cost of about $837,500 each. The two cranes were to be completed in 580 days and delivered to the Panama Isthmus by December 2, 1914, from Emden, Germany.

The two cranes arrived ahead of schedule, in July 1914. In Cristóbal, Colón, Panama on Dec. 7, 1914, Ajax performed an acceptance test before being put into service. Ajax was lifting a 20% over max weight at a far reach test, lifting 120 tons of concrete blocks and iron rails as weights. At 4 feet off the ground the steel framing of the crane's gib failed. The damage to the crane was limited and the repair cost was about $100,000. The Hercules was used to lift the new modified jib framing onto Ajax.

The barges Ajax and Hercules had a length of 46.25 m, a width of 27.54 m and a draft of 4.8 m, with a gross tonnage of 4000 Tons. Both use charcoal to fire the boilers.

Ajax was called in rescue service after the sinking of United States Navy O-class submarine USS O-5 (SS-66). USS O-5 sank bow first in 42 feet of water on October 28, 1923 at Limon Bay toward the entrance to the Panama Canal. At the time Ajax and Hercules were trapped behind a landslide at the Gaillard Cut, both were working to clear the landslide. Ajax and Hercules worked nonstop until there was space for Ajax to pass through. Ajax traveled to aid O-5, as drivers has found there were survivors in 0-5 sub.