Paducah in McCracken County, Kentucky — The American South (East South Central)

Marine Ways

Photographed by Sandra Hughes, September 14, 2011

1. Marine Ways Marker

Inscription. Paducah's first heavy industry was a marine ways to build and repair river craft. Elijah Murray of St. Louis got a contract in 1843, but it did no materialize until 1853. These works have been in continuous operation ever since, with a brief intermission due to the Flood of 1937. Initially, ten rail sections, each capable of holding boats 350 feet in length, were completed by March of 1854. A cradle would be lowered down the rails and placed under the craft. Lashed securely, the vessel would be pulled up to the top of the bank so that access was had to entire hull. Motive power ranged from teams of oxen to steam over the years before the Civil War. Currently, conventional dry docks are used. Dedicated to the Staff and Leadership of the Seamen's Church Institute for their training and support of inland river mariners.

Erected by Sponsored by Core Users of the Center for Maritime Education: ACL, AEP/Memco,Canal,Crounse, Ingram, Marathon, TECO, and WKN.

Topics. This historical marker is listed in this topic list: Industry & Commerce. A significant historical month for this entry is March 1854.

Location. 37° 5.279′ N, 88° 35.638′ W.

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Marker is in Paducah, Kentucky, in McCracken County. It is on South Water Street. Between Iced Solid - Clear to Illinois! and Homecoming. Touch for map. Marker is in this post office area: Paducah KY 42001, United States of America. Touch for directions.

Regionally, this marker is in the Jackson Purchase.

It is also in the American Midwest,

in the South,

in the Upper South,

and in the Ohio River Valley.

Globally, it is in North America,

the Western Hemisphere,

the Western World,

and the Anglosphere.

Historically, it finds itself in what was once the territory of the Mississippian Culture

and also the Antebellum South.

Other nearby markers. At least 8 other markers are within walking distance of this marker: Visitors Coming to Paducah (here, next to this marker); First County Seat - Braxton Small (here, next to this marker); Iced Solid - Clear to Illinois! (here, next to this marker); May 1913 Paducah Homecoming (a few steps from this marker); Chickasaw Tribe in Kentucky (a few steps from this marker); Construction in the 1840s (a few steps from this marker); Historic River Front (a few steps from this marker); Paducah's Riverfront

Photographed by Sandra Hughes, September 14, 2011

2. Marine Ways Marker

(a few steps from this marker). Touch for a list and map of all markers in Paducah.

Photographed by Sandra Hughes, September 14, 2011

3. Marine Ways Marker

Photographed by Sandra Hughes, September 14, 2011

4. Marine Ways Marker

Credits. This page was last revised on June 16, 2016. It was originally submitted on November 5, 2011, by Sandra Hughes Tidwell of Killen, Alabama, USA. This page has been viewed 978 times since then and 39 times this year. Photos: 1, 2, 3, 4. submitted on November 5, 2011, by Sandra Hughes Tidwell of Killen, Alabama, USA. • Craig Swain was the editor who published this page.