I am always fascinated by the technology of those rigs. In 1943 I had the wonderful opportunity to work as a roughneck and then Derrickman, for about six months, on what was probably the last Steam powered Drill rig in the country. A shortage of drill rigs because of the war caused the drilling company to resurrect the Steam rig that had been shut down since the early thirties. The difference between then and now is amazing.
Ernie
Ernie, It would be awesome to hear some of your stories and things you went through!! I bet there is a lot to learn from you.
Fin, Sam,
Well, that is quite a compliment. The conumdrum old men worry about most is that they might talk too much about the past, and on the other hand, if they do not talk about it, all the progress and knowledge their generatation accumulated will be lost or crowded out by more recent advances. I have written several articles for the Historical Construction Equipment Association, about the being a Cat Skinner in the 1940's, as well as the evolution of other types of equipment, but that was written for a targeted readership whose main interest was early equipment, and my articles were accompanied by pictures furnished from the Magazine's archives. And writing for a more varied group might not hold their interest, but its worth a try, and for sure, writing is easier than cutting down Blackberry vines.
I will "START AT THE BOTTOM, 73 YEARS AGO"
Ernie