Massive crane put in place to clear Baltimore bridge debris as crews assess damage done by Singapore vessel

The Chesapeake 1000 will be used to remove pieces of the destroyed Francis Scott Key Bridge, which collapsed after being struck by the cargo ship Dali on March 26. - PHOTO: AFP

BALTOMORE (Reuters): The biggest operational crane on the US Eastern Seaboard towered over Baltimore's port on Friday, ready to begin clearing the wreckage of the Francis Scott Key Bridge days after a cargo ship crashed into it, sending the span crashing into the harbour.

Crews were still surveying the damage as of midday Friday. The crane, which can lift up to 1,000 tons, arrived late Thursday night and will probably start hauling debris out of the water on Saturday morning, according to U.S. Coast Guard spokesperson Carmen Carver.