From Railroad Barge to Harbor Icon
The Chart Room first opened in 1966 on board a converted New Jersey Central Railroad barge built around the turn of the last century.
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This covered cargo barge was surveyed out of the railroad fleet and towed along with five other barges to Red Brook Harbor in 1953, where this particular barge was used as a machine shop to aid in the production of vessels for the Army and Navy during the Korean War – building 36 foot “J” Class blunt nose patrol boats for the Army, as well as 28 and 40 foot personnel boats for Navy Carrier and Cruiser service.
Large lathes for turning propeller shafts, struts, and shaft logs were located where the bar is today. The piano is located in the diesel engine rebuilding area, while drill presses, shears, and cutters occupied the rest of the cabin space.
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With the development of the Cataumet Marina, visiting yachtsmen required dining facilities, and the idea of creating a restaurant in the barge was born. The sidewalls were replaced and a kitchen added. The roof remains the same with its massive beams and arched structure. The floor is original railroad planking.