Sixty Ton Overhead Crane - at Stave Falls power House Generator room - June 15, 2008 - Mission BC.

This travelling Bridge crane ran electronically from the east end of theStave Falls Powerhouse to the west end of the powerhouse. It's great capacity allowed the builders of the BC Hydro Powerhouse to lift extraordinary large pieces of cast steel from the steam engine track cars (located at the estreme western end of the building, to all of the generator houseings one through six in this great hall.

The crane was built by the Canada Foundry Co., to install turbines and generators in the Generator Hall. It is now still used in the important task and function of changing the light bulbs in the Generator Hall at least twice annually. It was originally planned to weld the crane at one end of the building so that it wold be earthquake proof. It's a bit of an expensive undertaking to change the lightbulbs as special engineers have to be brought in to not only operate the machine along it's lofty carriage, but also to have stafety personal on hand to oversee the operation.

The powerhouse, dams and associated technology here at Stave Falls clearly illustrate the key phase, from 1895 to 1915, of hydro-electric development in Canada. During these formative years, technological innovations such as the advent of the disc insulator made it possible to transmit more electricity over longer distances. These advances allowed remote sites like Stave Falls to be developed, enabling the nation to tap into its tremendous waterpower potential. With much of its original equipment still intact, this installation provides a window into a crucial period in the electrification of Canada.