This week in history: On September 18, 1963, Norfolk and Western’s Pier 6 was dedicated in Norfolk, Virginia. Christian A. Herter, special assistant to President John F. Kennedy for trade negotiations, was the principal speaker. Nearly 1,000 guests from the United States and 23 other countries were in attendance. Pier 6 opened for business in 1962 as the hemisphere's largest, fastest, and most efficient transloading facility. In 1999, the pier dumped its billionth ton of coal and became the only facility in the world to have reached that milestone. Most of the coal moving through Pier 6 originates in Southwest Virginia, Southern West Virginia, Eastern Kentucky, Pennsylvania, and Alabama. It is shipped to several dozen countries, as well as to coastwise domestic receivers. Pier 6 is situated with access to Hampton Roads' deep 50-foot channel, which allows modern vessels to make productive use of their large holds. For 55 years, Pier 6 has been moving the economy, 24 hours a day, 7 days a week. #pier6 #dyk #norfolksouthern #history #keepingthelightson (at Lamberts Point Docks)
