Third Reich Crane Used in Panama Canal Operation

The Titan, also known as Herman the German, was built by Adolph Hitler in 1941 for the German navy.

After World War II, the United States claimed the crane and used it for 50 years in the Long Beach Naval Shipyard.  In 1999, it was sold to the Panama Canal where it is used for maintenance on the canal and its lock doors.

The 205-foot crane can be floated into the locks of the Panama Canal and lifts 350 metric tons from the two main hooks at the ends of the jib booms.  It is one of the world’s largest and strongest cranes.

Herman the German in the Long Island Shipyard