Creque Marine Railway, A St. Thomas Marine Repair Legacy

The Creque Marine Railway has been a cornerstone of St. Thomas's marine repair industry for generations. Established in 1945 by George Creque, a local shipwright and inventor, the railway has been in continuous operation ever since.

It's located on the waterfront in Charlotte Amalie, St. Thomas, and has been serving the island's boating community for over 75 years. The railway is a testament to George Creque's ingenuity and innovative spirit.

Today, the Creque Marine Railway remains a family-owned and operated business, with George's great-grandson, also named George, at the helm. The company's commitment to quality and customer service has earned it a loyal following among sailors and boat owners.

For your interest: King George V Dock, Glasgow

The Creque Marine Railway has a rich history that dates back to the early days of the island. It played a crucial role in the repair and maintenance of ships.

Hassel Island, where the Creque Marine Railway is located, has historic routes that follow the island's original paths. These routes pass by notable sites like Fort Shipley, the Creque Marine Railway itself, and the Hamburg American Line coaling station.

In 1937, the Creque Marine Railway was called upon to repair a badly damaged oil tanker, the El Caribe, which had hit a coral reef near Saona Island. The railway's ability to lift the 226-ton tanker made it the only option for the repair.

The Creque Marine Railway had an early photograph taken in 1912, which shows the railway at Hassel Island in operation. This image gives us a glimpse into the past.

The Creque Marine Railway was a busy place, especially after the Hurricanes in 1916 and 1924. It kept very busy indeed, as it repaired vessels during those times.

This early image of the railway is a valuable piece of history, and it's interesting to think about the people who worked there and the vessels they repaired.

The Sora, a little yacht from New York, arrived at the Creque Marine Railway in 1942 for service. She had a distinctive green bottom, white waterline, and blue topsides, with a mahogany cabin on top.

Sora was spotted sailing in the US Virgin Islands during the summer of June 1942. Her visit was a notable event for the Creque Marine Railway.

The Creque Marine Railway was preparing for a busy season in 1942, with boat owners reserving space at the slip due to the previous year's hurricane damage. The September 1932 hurricane had wreaked havoc on the maritime industry in the US Virgin Islands and Puerto Rico.

The Creque Marine Railway suffered significant damage from Hurricanes Irma and Maria. Most of the steam engine was destroyed.

The building itself was also affected, showing the impact of the storms. Unfortunately, it became obvious that the damage was quite extensive.

In 1910, the Creque Marine Railway first became a part of our family's holdings, and it's sad to see it in this condition.

The Creque Marine Railway suffered significant damage from Hurricanes Irma and Maria.

The building's steam engine was severely affected, leaving it in a state of disrepair.

The damage was first noticed during a Christmas visit, when it became apparent that the historic property had taken a beating.

The Creque Marine Railway is a special property that has been part of the family's holdings since 1910, making its preservation all the more important.

In 1937, the EL CARIBE, a 226-ton oil tanker, hit a coral reef near Saona Island off the Dominican Republic's southeastern tip.

The tanker's hull was badly damaged, requiring immediate repairs.

The EL CARIBE was lifted by one of the few railways capable of doing so, and it made its way to the Creque Marine for repairs.

The extent of the damage was significant, but the crew and shipyard workers were able to repair it by hand, a testament to their skill and determination.

The repairs were done manually, no doubt a labor-intensive and time-consuming process.