The first trekschuit, literal translation 'tugboat', a style of horse-drawn boat specific to the Netherlands, ‘sails’ in 1632 between Amsterdam and Haarlem and can carry thirty passengers.

The trekvaart or canal is dug especially in a straight line to guarantee the shortest route.

The passengers need to step out and change boats in Halfweg, which means "halfway".

This is how the town of Halfweg is formed.