Egyptian obelisk "Cleopatra's Needle" being loaded into cargo hold of SS Dessoug for transport to New York City, 1880 (1624×2297)

Mostly for very heavy stuff. The other way was to make a cylinder barge and tow it back. > Launching the "Cleopatra" in 1877 - built to transport Cleopatra's Needle from Alexandria to London > https://i.imgur.com/UphMQPa.jpg