In 1937, this huge oil tanker hit a coral reef near Saona Island off the southeastern tip of the Dominican Republic! A portion of the hull was badly damaged and needed immediate repairs. Repairing the El Caribe Being one of the few railways capable of lifting the 226-ton tanker, she made her way to the Creque Marine […]
Hassel Island
Finding a Few Photographs and Invoices Keeps One Schooner’s History Alive ~ 1920
During the 1920s, the schooner, Zurah was captained by the beloved Samuel Sewer. His vessel was an important link in the inter-island trade. When repairs were needed, she was brought to the Creque Marine Railway. There, her dimensions were recorded as 50 feet in length by 15 feet wide. Selling the Zuhrah In December 1922, the Zuhrah was sold to Mr. Antonio Cesin and Carlos […]
Here’s a Glimpse of an Ill-Fated Schooner Before She Sunk ~ 1921
The Schooner, Gaviota Today marks the 95th anniversary of the hauling of the ill-fated schooner, Gaviota at the Creque Marine Railway. This beautiful, three-masted, trading schooner was built in Cataño, Puerto Rico by Guillermo Valello in 1920. Designed for the inter-island trade, she was captained by Juan Cruz. On this day, she made the 100-mile voyage for repairs at Hassel Island. Gaviota’s Fate […]
How Pencil-Written Notes and Photographs Preserved Schooner’s History ~ 1920
The Meteor Today marks the 96th anniversary of the arrival of the vessel, Meteor, at the Creque Marine Railway. Sailing over one hundred miles, Captain Prince brought the schooner to Hassel Island to utilize its maritime facilities. As she has hoisted up the ramp, her dimensions were quickly recorded, 75 feet by 25 feet. Today, those pencil-written notes and rare photographs are the only evidence to her size […]
The Mail Schooner, VIRGINIA Visits ~ 1921
The mail schooner, Virginia was originally built in Curacao in the Dutch West Indies. She was one of the hundreds of vessels to visit the Creque Marine Railway for service and repairs. According to the railway’s surviving records, Virginia arrived on May 4, 1921. Herman Creque jotted down her dimensions as he spoke with her captain. She was 60 feet in […]
Big Job Pumping Out The Barge ~ 1930
In 1930, a potential client representing the United Sugar Company in Humacao, Puerto Rico, inquired about having the company’s barge hauled at the Creque Marine Railway. He spoke with Mr. Creque, who promptly responded with the price of hauling: 75 cents/gross ton, plus launching and each day on the rails. Repairing the Barge Three days after Christmas, […]
See the Four-Masted Schooner Before She was Destroyed by Fire ~ 1920
Our ancestors purchased many of their properties at auctions! They bought Cane Garden Bay, Carrot Bay, a portion of Peter Island and Norman Island in the British Virgin Islands, as well as properties in the Danish West Indies. One particular purchase our forefather loved was the Marine Railway on Hassel Island. He was proud to be the only bidder for the nine acre parcel. Photographs […]
Repairing the MAMIE COYLE ~ 1929
Photo Source: Memphis Public Library and Information Center The Creque Marine Railway on Hassel Island provided hauling and marine repair services to hundreds of vessels during its ownership by the Creque family, 1910 – 1978. Historic vessels with fascinating histories routinely scheduled slots on the slip weeks in advance. Mamie Coyle’s History One such vessel was the Mamie Coyle. […]