The Whittier landscape changed forever with the removal of the twin barge towers.
These towers stood for almost 50 years although one was replaced when it fell
into the harbor during the 1964 earthquake. These towers controlled the barge
slip (think "bridge") height through counter weights controlled by
a series of cables. As the tide rose and fell, the slip could be adjusted accordingly.
This method has now been replaced with a hydraulic system.
Tower photos
First container off the stern onto the new hydraulic ramp
See also: