Yarmouth Marine Railway Company (Yarmouth, N.S.)

The Yarmouth Marine Railway Company existed from 1870 to at least 1966 on Water Street, Yarmouth, N.S. Vessels of 800 tons capacity or less, requiring repair or maintenance, would be hauled out of the water by steam power using a capstan and a cradle. Once out of the water, the ship could be repaired. The first ship to grace the cradle was the 166-ton brig Alexander William, owned by G. W. Allan. The slip was purchased by Sweeney Fisheries in the late 1930's. In 1966 Sweeney Fisheries owned 18 scallop draggers plus a number of smaller vessels which provided most of the work of the Marine Railway.