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Marine Railway

Although the date is uncertain, the earliest attempts to move large vessels seem to have been made in Egypt. The first permanent marine railway is supposed to have been built by the Greeks prior to 427 B.C. It was capable of hauling ships 149 feet in length, 18 feet wide and weighing about 300 tons.

In most marine railway schemes, the vessel is carried in a framework called a cradle or car, supported on wheels and runs on inclined tracks. Haulage is effected by means of a cable connected to a winch. (The winch is located outside in building by entrance). The car is run down the inclined tracks or ways into deep water. The vessel is floated onto the cradle and then both the car and vessel are hauled by the winch up the inclined way onto dry land. Almost every marina and boat yard in New Jersey used a marine railway to haul and launch boats. Since the hydraulic travel lift came on the scene, most marine railways have been abandoned. Only a few marine railways remain in active service today. One of the largest still in service is right here in Johnson Brothers Boat Works. This exhibit is built on what remains of the marine railway that came into this building through the large door at the other end. Part of the rails still remain under water at the end of the incline. If the water is clear they can be seen under water. The winch is located in the small building by the front entrance.