When I captured this image of an Ex-US Army Derrick Barge in July 2013, I knew nothing about her history and held only the briefest information about the vessels that the US Army had left behind when they vacated their military Port on Southampton Water in the early 2000's. Before posting an image to the My Ship Images web site, I always try to acquire some information, usually from the Internet about the featured vessel. I was helped considerably in my research by the crane's service marking of BD-6073 that is painted on the side of the crane. BD-6073 was built in America in 1954 and given the name USAV Pine Ridge. At some point in her Army career she was deployed to the US Military dock at Hythe Southampton and remained in service there until she was retired in 2002. I obviously saw her during her civilian career post 2002. Other interesting facts about her was that she was self propelled and could accommodate up to 14 crew. The image was captured from the deck of a Red Funnel car and passenger ferry that was outwards bound from Southampton to East Cowes Isle of Wight.