Samson (crane barge)

Samson was a crane barge which ran aground off the coast of Ireland in 1987.

Samson

Samson in July 2017
History
United Kingdom
Name	Samson
Operator	Mersey Docks & Harbour Board
Port of registry	Malta
Route	UK
Builder	Lobnitz & Company
Completed	1959
Fate	Shipwreck at 51°56′36″N 7°42′33″W
Malta
Name	Samson
Identification	IMO number: 5308988
General characteristics
Tonnage	974 tonnes
Length	54.86 m (180 ft 0 in)
Beam	17.51 m (57 ft 5 in)
Installed power	1,748 bhp
Propulsion	2 × Paxman 12YLX diesel generators
Crew	2 (minimum)

Samson had left Liverpool on 9 December 1987, bound for Valletta, Malta. Though the barge was initially being towed by a tugboat, the towline parted in near gale force conditions while off the Welsh coast early on 11 December. The two men aboard the barge were rescued by an RAF Sea King flying from RAF Brawdy, after attempts to reconnect the tow line failed.

The barge eventually ran aground at Rams Head, Ardmore, County Waterford, at approximately 7.50 am on 12 December. Dangerous pollutants were removed soon after the barge went aground, but despite questions being raised in the Dáil Éireann, the wrecked barge was not salvaged and remains in situ. The ships' propeller was removed and put on display in the village of Ardmore.

In April 2016 the entire jib collapsed into the sea.

Gallery

• 
  The Samson, seen from the cliffs at Rams Head
• 
  Samson, after the collapse of the jib, April 2016.
• 
  Samson's propeller, which was removed and put on display in the town of Ardmore.

References

• Dáil Éireann - Volume 377 - 2 February 1988 Ceisteanna—Questions. Oral Answers. - Crane Ship Samson
• The 'Crane Ship' Samson, Ardmore