Page 176 - IT'S A RUM LIFE BOOK TWO "BOSTON 1960 TO 1970"

The dragline man explained that he had removed the
bucket attachment for convenience and to remove excess
weight from his jib.

(A Ruston Bucyrus 10RB just like the one on the quay.)

The machine was not designed for lifting objects and had
only a very limited working capacity. All this was strictly illegal
and could not possibly have happened had any other members
of his staff been anywhere about. He shuffled the machine on
its ancient tracks to the very edge of the quay.
“We have to lift in one straight quick pull”, he explained. “I
do not know how the machine will behave, we are right at the
edge of the quay so the jib is almost vertical giving us the best
chance,” he continued.
“When I turn the jib out over the river it will have to extend
to reach the boat. That will be the dangerous bit. As soon as I

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