Protruding piles pulled powerfully upward!

An old pile once used to support Anthony's Fish Grotto on San Diego's Embarcadero is removed with a large crane.
An old pile once used to support Anthony’s Fish Grotto on San Diego’s Embarcadero is removed with a large crane.

Here’s a quick, fun post . . . about posts!

I got off work early this afternoon, so I took a slow walk along the Embarcadero. By sheer chance, today happened to be the day that old piles from the now demolished Anthony’s Fish Grotto were being extracted.

After watching a large crane on a barge lift one pile skyward, I asked a nearby worker to describe what I was seeing. He explained that the long concrete piles had been installed in 1964, and had supported the old Anthony’s Fish Grotto structure for half a century. I stood for a while and watched the crane do some more heavy lifting.

My friend Carlos, who shows his cool artistic creations near the water, had watched this activity for much of the day. He told me that in the morning some powerful machinery had gripped and violently vibrated each pile for 30 seconds or so, in order to loosen them prior to extraction. I wish I had seen that!

Many extracted piles were already stacked on the barge beside the crane when I walked by.
Many extracted piles were already stacked on the barge beside the crane when I walked by.
Several construction workers were making ready for a new project. The Portside Pier will include a Brigantine restaurant, various smaller eateries and a public observation deck.
Several construction workers were making ready for a new project. The Portside Pier will include a Brigantine restaurant, several smaller eateries and a public observation deck. I believe the supporting structures you see in the water will remain.
My friend Carlos points out this fascinating activity on the bayfront. I see the Star of India and the Maritime Museum of San Diego in the distance.
My friend Carlos points toward some fascinating activity on the bayfront. I see the Star of India and the Maritime Museum of San Diego in the distance.
A gull circles overhead as a long, dripping wet pile is carefully lifted skyward!
A gull circles overhead as a long, dripping wet pile is carefully hoisted skyward!

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I live in downtown San Diego and love to walk around with my camera! You can follow Cool San Diego Sights via Facebook or Twitter!

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Richard Schulte

Downtown San Diego has been my home for many years. My online activities reflect my love for writing, blogging, walking and photography.

One thought on “Protruding piles pulled powerfully upward!”

  1. Pingback: The new Portside Pier is ready to open! – Cool San Diego Sights!

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