Cranes in TUGS
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The children's television series Tugs' main characters, as the title suggests, were tugboats. However, a number of the minor characters were cranes, seen helping out around the port. These characters, with the notable exception of Jack, did not have faces, and they "spoke" through loudhailers.
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[edit] Big Mickey
Big Mickey is described as 'the yard's biggest crane', he was once stationed at the steel works quay for loading and unloading operations when the Star and Zero fleets were competing for the steel company contract. He was later transferred to the naval dock for the loading of the naval tramper Krakatoa. He has two note-worthy appearances in 'High Tide' and 'Munitions'. Even Zorran said that "no one tells Big Mickey what to do."
There is some debate as to the fate of Big Mickey's crane. In the video release of 'Munitions', it appears that Big Mickey had fallen into shallow water and survived. Though according to the tugs reactions he perish to save them.
The model used for the Big Mickey character has enjoyed a new lease of life in the series Thomas the Tank Engine and Friends, where it is used in the dockside scenes. Now the megaphone has been taken off and Big Mickey has been painted gray and on occasion white.
According to sources, Big Mickey is voice by British actor Timothy Bateson.In Salty's lighthouse he was called Big Basil.
[edit] Mighty Moe
He is Bigg City Port's largest floating crane, well known for his booming voice. He is used for many salvage operations, in which he usually takes charge. Appeared for the first time in Jinxed, in which his hawser jammed whilst lifting Boomer out of the water.
He is rumored to be voiced by British actor Sean Barrett.
[edit] Little Ditcher
Little Ditcher is a small dirty A-frame crane, and is therefore, one of the smaller floating cranes to be found in the port. He is sometimes used dredging up-river at Mittsville or for oyster fishing in the estuary, as well as various other jobs. His size makes him unsuitable for rescue operations. He is good friends with the Star Tugs.
He appeared for the first time in Trapped, and has made numerous appearances in various episodes.In Salty's Lighthouse he became a female.
[edit] Scuttlebutt Pete
Scuttlebutt Pete is a dredger and a notorious gossip - hence his name. He believes in ghosts, and enjoys voicing superstitions and telling old sea stories, particularly when the fog comes around.
Although he can be grumpy, he is a friend to the Star Tugs. However, dredger detail is an unpopular task with the tugs, and is often given out by the Captains as punishment. He speaks with a Northern Irish accent.
He made notable appearances in 'Pirate', 'High Winds' and 'Ghosts', and is thought to be voiced by British actor Sean Barrett
[edit] Jack the Grappler
Jack the Grappler is a garbage scooper who works at the Municipal Garbage Corporation quay for loading Lord Stinker. He assisted in the organisation of the 'Municipal Garbage Corporation' float for the annual regatta. He only appears twice in the series, once in the episode 'Regatta' (in which he briefly wore an Uncle Sam-style top hat) and once in the episode Bigg Freeze, in which he had a cold. He is the only crane with a face.
[edit] Other Cranes
There were other cranes whom didn't have any names but were used all around the harbour. Most of them were owned by the Steel Company and (like Big Mickey) have made numerous appearances on Thomas and friends.
