EXPERTS have salvaged parts of rare hand cranes, which lay rotting and forgotten for decades in a Portland quarry.

The pile of abandoned timber and iron, dating from the late 19th century, was left alongside a public footpath in a corner of Inmosthay Quarry, close to Easton Lane.

It is thought they were dumped during the Second World War.

To prevent the cranes being looted for scrap metal, as part of work being undertaken to preserve heritage features in the Portland Quarries, the historic pieces were catalogued, and arrangements made for eight of the parts to be moved to Portland Port for safekeeping.

The Portland Gas Trust, which is committed to local initiatives that support education, geology and the environment, worked with Island Ranger and Project Co-ordinator for The Wild About Weymouth and Portland Project, Lyn Cooch, Portland Port, Albion Stone, Portland Lodge, English Heritage, and Dr Peter Stanier, of AC Archaeology Ltd near Salisbury.

Rachel Barton, Trustee at The Portland Gas Trust, said: “As this was possibly the last remaining example of its kind on the island, we wanted to make sure it was looked after.

“The woodwork was rotting away and disappearing under scrub. We hope in the longer term these pieces can be displayed at the Old Engine Shed.”

Dr Stanier, who supervised the removal operation, said: “This graveyard of cranes was vulnerable to vandals. “In the last 12 months the timbers had deteriorated, hence the urgency to save what remained while they were still identifiable.

“Some of these parts are extremely rare, being among the last survivors of the scores of large traditional hand operated cranes which worked in the famous Portland stone quarries around 100 years ago.

“The cast and wrought iron fixtures are of particular interest, as they would have been fashioned by local foundries and the quarry blacksmiths.”

Lyn Cooch said: “This work was done to coincide with English Heritage’s national open heritage days, and celebrate Portland’s fascinating quarrying heritage. “We are grateful to Portland Gas Trust and Portland Port for financially supporting the project and ensuring the cranes are stored in a safe place until they can be displayed or restored at an appropriate location.”