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The equipment at the Cushwa wharf that was used to lift coal from canal boats onto rail cars or onto the storage piles became larger and more powerful over the years. This was the busiest wharf along the line of the canal between Cumberland and Georgetown as in indicated in this photo where at least four boats are tied up, in one case two-boats deep. At mile 100, boatmen would have a short trip of only 85 miles from Cumberland with their load of coal, as contrasted with 184 miles if they were going all the way to Georgetown.
Mile 99.71
Boat basins along the canal served as areas in which business between the canal boats and industry along the canal could occur without obstructing the flow of traffic along the canal. They were also places in which canal boats could dock for the night or wait for a turn through a lock or across an aqueduct. Many industries had access to boat basins such as at Antietam Village, Millers Saw Mill, Cushwa Warehouse, and many others.