Thank you to all who have signed my guestbook :)

1998 Archive

Herbert Taylor

25/Jan/1999:17:07:43

My company Kongsberg Norcontrol has supplied the towboat simulators at
The Center for Maritime Education (CME) in Paducah, Kentucky. The
facility is operated by The Seamen's Church Institute and includes four
(4) towboat wheelhouses to simulate the equipment and operations on
board tbe real boats.

We are interested in the towboat/barge handling characteristics (how to
maneuver the towboat and barge train in the rivers under all kinds of
conditions).

Bob Curran

23/Jan/1999:19:21:13

Great river site, your prose makes a person feel they have witnessed the
events you describe in great detail. Your Towboat Standoff was one of
the best short subject pieces I have read on the net for some months.
Great Site!! Keep up the outstanding work so that we that visit can
enjoy your romance with the river along with you.
Thank's for listening.

janet shaw

22/Jan/1999:06:09:56

Thanks for the trip down the Mighty Mississippi! I grew up on the Illinois -&- Miss at Grafton. I'd like to
cook on a towboat. Any help out there employmentwise? Really enjoyed your website!

Hank Youngblood

21/Jan/1999:11:27:16

I think it is about time someone did this!!!!!!!

Jeff Luconic

19/Jan/1999:13:11:42

I really enjoyed your page.
I am a pilot on the IL.

Capt. David O. Jerni

19/Jan/1999:09:52:14

Good job ole' boy !!!

Russell Surratt

19/Jan/1999:06:37:45

I read your page think it is real cool I work on a casino boat in Fort
madison Iowa worked for WKN been on the OHIO ILL and MISS

RIVER OTTER

19/Jan/1999:01:13:26

WHAT'S NEW DAVE? NOT MUCH HERE. JUST THOUGHT I'D CHECK BACK IN WITH YOU AND SEE WHAT'S UP. STILL KICKIN' IT HERE ON THE MIGHTY MISSISSIP. HEY, I WAS JUST WONDERING, IS THERE ANYWHERE ON THE I-NET WHERE IT DISCUSSES OR EXPLAINS IN PRETTY GOOD DETAIL ABOUT MARITIME LAWS AND REGULATIONS? THERE'S BEEN SOME DISCREPANCIES AMONG A FEW DECKHANDS THAT I KNOW AND I NEED SOME INFO. HELP!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!RIVER OTTER

Jere J. Riggs

18/Jan/1999:06:21:34

Billy Smith

17/Jan/1999:16:31:17

PRETTY COOL SITE, NEVER THOUGHT OF DOING THAT. I AM A SHORE TANKERMAN
FOR COASTAL TOWING. WELL MAYBE ILL SEE YA ON THE RIVER ONE DAY.

Juan Diaz

17/Jan/1999:10:32:31

MUSTANG SALLY

12/Jan/1999:20:47:41

HEY! GREAT WEBSITE!!!

RIVER OTTER

12/Jan/1999:01:14:25

JUST CHECKING IN WITH YOU DAVE. WHAT'S NEW WITH EVERYBODY? I HOPE I DIDN'T OFFEND ANYBODY WITH MY LAST ENTRY. I THINK I KNOW THE JOB AS WELL AS ANYBODY THAT HAS WORKED THE RIVER FOR A WHILE. ANY OF THEM WOULD AGREE WITH ME THERE IS MORE PAIN AND SUFFERING THAN ENJOYMENT. "WHY DO YOU DO IT?" YOU ASK? I DON'T KNOW WHY I DON'T FIND SOMETHING ELSE. THE RIVER INDUSTRY IS BOOMING AND THERE ARE A LOT OF OPPORTUNITIES OUT THERE. IF YOU WANT A GOOD PAYING JOB, WITH GOOD BENEFITS AND GOOD PEOPLE TO WORK FOR, THE INDUSTRY POSSESSES ALOT OF QUALITY COMPANIES OUT THERE. ONE THING YOU NEED TO KEEP IN MIND IS ITS NOT EASY WORK, AND YOU BUST YOUR BUTT FOR 12 HOURS A DAY. IF YOU CAN'T HACK IT, PACK IT. BUT IF YOU STAY, IT WILL PAY! I READ THAT ON A PLAQUE ON THE WALL OF THE FIRST COMPANY THAT I WENT TO WORK FOR OUT OF CAIRO, ILL. IT EVENTUALLY GOT IN MY BLOOD AND IT HASN'T GOT OUT YET. UNTIL NEXT TIME...................RIVER OTTER

RIVER OTTER

11/Jan/1999:06:10:42

RIVER OTTER HERE AGAIN. FIXING TO GO HOME FOR THE DAY AND THOUGHT I'D GIVE ONE MORE THOUGHT. I'VE HAD TIME TO SIT AND READ THE REST OF THE GUEST'S SUBMISSIONS. SOME OF THEM SAY "YOU REALLY PUT RIVERWORK IN PERSPECTIVE." THIS IS NOT ALL THE WAY TRUE. DAVE--YOU DONE A REAL GOOD JOB ON THIS SITE AND I'LL NOT TAKE ANYTHING FROM YOU, BUT ANYTHING ON A COMPUTER COULDN'T EVER EXPLAIN THE ROUGH TIMES ON THE RIVER. ALL THE SNOW DRIFTS WE HAVE TO WADE THROUGH ON A TOW THAT CAME IN FROM ST.PAUL, THE LONG NIGHTS WHEN ALL IT DOES IS RAIN LIKE A COW...........ON A FLAT ROCK, THE NIGHTS WHEN YOU CAN'T GET ENOUGH CLOTHES ON TO STAY WARM. YOU REALLY HAVE TO LIVE IT TO BE ABLE TO SAY THAT YOU UNDERSTAND THE THINGS A DECKHAND GOES THROUGH, OR HOW LIFE ON THE RIVER COULD BE. PICTURES ON A SCREEN DON'T DO THE PROFESSION JUSTICE. A MATE ONCE TOLD ME THAT IT TOOK A CERTAIN BREED OF IDIOT TO WORK ON THE RIVER, AND I'VE BEEN ON IT FOR THE PAST 4 YEARS. I GUESS THAT MAKES ME ONE, BUT IT'S ALL I KNOW SO I CAN'T LEAVE IT!!!

RIVER OTTER

10/Jan/1999:23:48:29

GREAT WEBSITE, GUYS!!!!!! I REALLY LIKE THE STUFF YOU PUT IN HERE. IT LETS PEOPLE WHO DON'T KNOW WHAT THE RIVER LIFE IS ALL ABOUT. I CALL THEM CIVILIANS!! NOTHING MEANT. SO DAVE, WHAT'S GONNA BE NEW FOR '99? DON'T KNOW WHAT YOU COULD DO TO UPGRADE THIS SITE, BUT MAYBE COULD YOU INCLUDE SOMETHING ABOUT JOB LISTINGS. ALWAYS LOOKING FOR NEW THINGS. THANX........RIVER OTTER

Wanda

10/Jan/1999:21:50:32

Your site was very helpful for my sons social fairs project...
We would both like to thank you for the information and the pictures .

RIVER OTTER

10/Jan/1999:21:32:35

I'VE BEEN WORKING ON THE RIVER (LOWER) AT COLUMBUS, KY FOR 4 YEARS NOW AND HAVE ENJOYED ALL 4. GREAT WEBSITE!!!

John A. Rooney III

10/Jan/1999:14:40:56

Enjoyed your page! We are neighbors, sort of. I work for Marine Fueling
Service of Port Arthur. I hated to see the old Diamond S die. It is a
shame that Kirby did not see fit to keep around. Stop -&- see me if you
are every in the neighborhood.

John

Gary Crabtree

07/Jan/1999:16:27:52

Oh how i feel missing being a mate running from StLouis harbor up to
StPual. The feel of the wind blowing in my face standing at the head of
a tow talking the pilot into a lock,and the sound of a line being
checked by a inexperieced deckhand

Steve Lyles

04/Jan/1999:23:58:29

Good Job!

You may want to contact Bill D'Angostion at public policy productions
He's a researcher for PBS doing a documentary about the mississipi
working for historian/humorist Roy Blount he sent me an e-mail wanting
info etc. about the mississippi his address is ppptv@aol.com

CAPTAIN sTEVE LYLES

mickey price

03/Jan/1999:18:40:14

i am chief engineer on the ruth d jones

Stevens Alfons

02/Jan/1999:10:30:15

Enjoyet of your beautifull cite!!!
I am a retired captain of the European Inland Waterways (Rhine and
confluents, Belgian, Dutch, German en French waterways.
My 2 sons are still navigating on ý Tanker Vessel and on a dry merchand vessel (With own propulsion).the are owners of her ships.
Will you lirning more about the European Waterways take the
Schuttevaer site on http://www.schuttevaer.nl. This cite is onfortunatly in dutch but interesting.
Excuse my for my poor English.
Greetings.

Mark Charlotte Brown

31/Dec/1998:01:28:57

Life is great on the river

HENRY C PERAZA

30/Dec/1998:15:12:24

From COLOMBIA, Sur AmÈrica. Will return later. SEASONS GREETINGS.

Captain G.A.Howell J

29/Dec/1998:19:20:06

I have seen the RED ROCKET often and already knew the truth!!!!!!

Glenn Chancellor

28/Dec/1998:22:51:14

Nice page. I spend a lot time around the Ohio river in the alzey bottoms which is across from Mt Vernon Ind on the Ky side. Give us a wave when you pass by.

steve howell

28/Dec/1998:03:50:04

steve howell

28/Dec/1998:03:48:21

G.Howell sr.

27/Dec/1998:20:00:19

I started off in 1968 it's hard to shake come to think of it I've
never had the desire to. you've done a fine job with your
presentation of the profession thnx

Thomas Pilson

27/Dec/1998:13:31:26

Joe H. Hawkins

25/Dec/1998:15:38:26

Nice website. Good luck with your studies.

Richard G. Huebner

20/Dec/1998:14:14:48

Enjoyed reading about your life on the Mississippi . Always wanted to work on the river but went to work on the railroad instead it gets into your blood too it must have because I did it for 41 years. Was wondering if you were aquainted with anybody that worked for Norman Bros. Towing at Alton, IL.they are good friends of mine. I will keep a watch on your site for updates

Bill Withers

19/Dec/1998:23:55:13

My compliments to your web site. I am particularly appreciative of the recognition you've given to The Sabine Towing -&- Transportation Co. My name is Bill Withers and it was my privilege to manage Sabine's inland barge business beginning in 1984.. My deep philosophical differences with the senior management of KIRBY CORP. (Sabine' final corporate owner) earned me a spot in their "doghouse", and I was relieved of that position in 1994. During that 10 years, I was proud to be part of "The Diamond-S" fleet...particularly proud to be associated with its core group of vessel employees whose competence, loyalty, and fidelity to duty provided a reputation in the markets we served that was second to none. To those of you in that group (and you know who you are) I think of y'all often and hope all is well. After my inland barge tenure, I transferred to Sabine's shipping group and had the unhappy duty of locking the doors on Friday, March 10, 1998 when the company's Port Arthur assets were sold. It was a sad day for me

farmer hughes

19/Dec/1998:20:44:13

Sylvia Simms

19/Dec/1998:14:50:37

We would like to take a trip down the Mississippi. Could you give me
any information or maps or tell me what I need to know to get the ball
rolling. Thanks for your help. sylvia

Bob Carlson

17/Dec/1998:23:27:24

Born and raised near the Mighty Missouri, wish we had more tows coming
through here. I listen to them some times on the scanner. I am a fire
dispatcher here in Kansas City Mo. Spent a tour of duty in the Navy as a
radio man. If I had to do it over again. I would have tried to work on
the river as a young man, and worked up to get my masters license. Love
the river. If you are ever coming through KC on a tow send me some
E-mail. We will show you around or wave as you pass through.
BOB

Dale Diller

17/Dec/1998:23:24:53

I am a recreational boater. I have a 30' houseboat. I live on the
houseboat 3 days a week tied up to an island just above the power lines
at mile 224 UMR. During favorable weather of course. I am fascinated by
the tows and try to log the ones I see, which way they are headed and
how many barges, empty and loaded.
My boat is the No Ka Oi.

Dale Diller

Jeff Speck

17/Dec/1998:14:37:12

really enjoyed your site.ive been looking for something like this a
long time.i am a steersman for coastal towing inc.

Capt. Tom Wood

16/Dec/1998:21:37:52

I work as a Mate on the Par.A.Dice Casino in Peoria, say hi if you come through

Looks like you have some good pics here, keep it up.
I like reminiscing with them, I haven't seen the lower in 11 years.

Dave Robinson

15/Dec/1998:10:10:28

Hello again David. I signed your guestbook yesterday, but I took
a little more time today to look over your web pages.Young man you are
doing a gret job. It is easy to understand, even for people that have
never been near a towboat.
As I said before, Ihave worked on the river for over 24 years.I
live in Evansville,Indiana. I work as a trip pilot for various
companies.
You keep up the good work. May be lucky enough to meet you
someday.

Capt. Dave Robinson

Dave Robinson

N/A

14/Dec/1998:17:15:20

Dave,
I am currently working as a trip pilot for Coastal Towing and a few
oher companies on the Ohio,Tennessee,and Lower Rivers.
Love the river -&- the people who work it!!
You have a great web site.......KEEP UP THE GOOD WORK!!!
Merry Xmas to you and your crew skipper.

Capt. Dave Robinson

George A Nock

11/Dec/1998:09:58:04

Live in Pittsburgh PA on the upper Ohio Lots of shots of all size of
boats from mile 0 to the Emsworth lock and dam

Carson Millican

07/Dec/1998:16:35:39

I am currently on the M/V DAYTONA.....Capt. is VIC BODDEN...
THANKS FOR THE INSIGHT....

Carl D. Hulin

02/Dec/1998:07:27:05

Just loved the web pages. Sabine Towing was a major customer of ours,
and what a great company. David has wrote some fine articules on the
marine waterways.. Carl at Alfords Supermarket, Port Arthur, Texas

Tom Meier

28/Nov/1998:14:55:12

David:

A fine job on your website. Its a very inspiring account that makes me want to quit my desk job and go towboatin'!! The pictures are great.
I enjoy fishing and boating on the river, and have lived on the Tennesse here in Decatur, AL, and on the Mississippi in Vicksburg.

I am hoping to ride one of the Delta Queen Steamboats next year. They makes stops here in Decatur, AL every now and then. Barge traffic here on the Tennessee (pool 4) is fairly heavy, with boats like Kenova, R.H. Baker, T.R. Vorholt, the Bearcat, et. al. I am sometimes overwhelmed by the wake you guys leave when running fast. Its enough to capsize a guy!

Anyway, read about an old Decatur river boat captain, Simp McGee here. Its a good river tale..
http://www.decatural.com/folklore/simp.html

Thanks again for sharing your experiences with all of us. Best of luck to you!

Tom

andrew lind nelson

24/Nov/1998:14:57:32

Hey david
just thought i would take a look, i am planning to canoe down the mighty
miss from minnesotal to louisiana in the spring. i study architecture
at the university of minnesota, in any case i always lament over the
loss of frontier, no more room for cowboys, sailors, railroad builders,
pioneers of all sorts etc, etc... in anycase i was delighted to see that
there is still some oportunity for unique hardworking men, who possess
the increasingly uncommon traits of integrity and a solid handshake.
drop me a note, i would be curious to ask you some questions... i
especially enjoyed the longfellow poem. you might like to look up the
song of hiawatha by him, it is one of my favorites and inspired by
minnehaha falls right here in my neighborhood (minneapolis) you gotta
give me some feedback on my ideas for a trip down the river so drop me a
line
nels1707@tc.umn.edu

andre

23/Nov/1998:17:35:07

You're a luky one
a lot of people dream about having the opportunity of spending
alot of time on the river on such greate tug despite the hard work.
make more pictures more boats that you encounter and those beautiful
vuews off missisippi river?
see ya

Bill Marett

21/Nov/1998:20:11:05

William Barkley

20/Nov/1998:23:58:33

I feel as though I am back on the river again. THANKS!! I miss my
years as a tankerman. Hard work, but those whom I worked with were
honest and true.

M/V Exxon Nashville
M/V Exxon Mobile
M/V Exxon Texas

Currently working on the (M/V) Microsoft in Redmond, Washington. Not
quite the same as working on that majestic river.

HARRY SCOTT

19/Nov/1998:22:29:48

C. VanVooren

15/Nov/1998:11:46:58

Great web pages. Enjoyed a vicarious thrill going thru your adventures.
Get a good education and someday you may be the Jim Guidry who helps
others. Who knows, you may even revive your old company flag. Goog luck
in your endeavors. Col. C. VanVooren USAF Ret.

W Lynn Crabbe

15/Nov/1998:09:18:21

As a little kid, I remember (vaguely) seeing a sternwheel tow from the
front yard of my grandfathers house ( 100 feet up and 300 yards back
from the Ohio at Ripley, OH). I was born at Maysville, KY, and have
loved the river all my life. My wife and I are hopeing to retire to a
houseboat on the Tennessee in a couple of years.

Ruth Baize

12/Nov/1998:22:23:32

I am a fourth grade teacher in Evansville, Indiana, who just happened
to get her Masters at Texas Christian University in your home state.
My school is less than a mile from the Ohio River. I found your great
site while researching for a unit I want to teach on the
river...riverboats...cities on the river...etc.

Did you get up this far? My family owns Slim Island below Mt. Vernon,
so I am familar with the barges. My father, now 76, has always wanted
to travel on a pusher. He produced hybrid seed corn in the river
bottoms of Vanderburgh County in southern Indiana..."Zimmerman
Hybrids". Do you know any barge that would take him on a trip?
Wouldn't that make his day?!

I just wanted to tell you that you write well(and that's coming from a
teacher) and that I read all your pages...nope, didn't miss any of it!
Very interesting. If you are ever in the area during the school months
of August through May, please come see my class of city kids...I love
giving them experiences

Allen Dale

12/Nov/1998:21:27:08

I enjoyed your story I used to be the calliope player on the Str:Julia
Belle Swain,Belle of Louisville,Delta Queen,Mississipi Queen,And
American Queen as a volunteer. I too am close friends with Doc Hawley
who once wqs MASTER of the Natchez! I played the calliope for him in
june 1995 on board the Natchez while awaiting the arrival of the Brand
new Str: American Queen!!What a glorious boat!!please send any pics of
the queens,and Natchez you might have. i am enclosing a pic of the
beloved Belle and delta Queen. sincerely,allen dale.

Dean Morris

12/Nov/1998:18:07:39

Enjoyed your site greatly. I'm a boatman myself and have been for 10
years. I'm a Chief Engineer for R -&- W Marine, a Div. of Midland. One
thing your site is kind of lacking is more river and boat photos. I
have alot to share if you would like. Thank you for an
enjoyable web site............Dean -&- Laura Morris

T. l. CHRISTMAN

10/Nov/1998:11:28:58

Enjoyed your site. My husband has worked on river tows and ocean tugs for 25 years.Looking forward to seeing more pages.

Shannon Altazan

09/Nov/1998:21:05:34

Fantastic Page!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!. I used to work for one of the other Kirby Companies myself. I rode deckhand on the M/V City of Greenville for Old Man River between Baton Rouge and Louisville Kentucky. It was the best job I ever had. Again, Great Page!!!!!!!!!!!!11

Laura Adams

09/Nov/1998:16:39:55

howdy

Tommy S

03/Nov/1998:12:11:59

Frank Greasy Hende

02/Nov/1998:16:17:44

I just had to add my two cents when I found this web presentation. Talk
about nostalgia! I was an oiler for only about 6 months on the
Mississippi and Illinois Rivers back in the summer and fall of '52 and
grew up in a river town in Missouri [Louisiana, MO]. Once that
experience gets into your blood, you'll never lose it.

Great site and you'll bet I'll be visiting it often. They've got the
Erie Canal up here in Central New York but there's nothing to compare
with the Mississippi.

Just call me "Greasy". That's pronounced with a 'z'.

tee

01/Nov/1998:22:01:33

Capt. Steven M. Grig

01/Nov/1998:13:43:57

Enjoyed your site, I was raised on the river and have seen your boat
pass, next time you pass Mile 785 LMR Osceola give me a call on the M/V
Tommy Ross.

Capt.Steven M. Griggs

CHRIS WITZIG

30/Oct/1998:03:37:18

I used to work for lewis and clark marine on the mississippi. It was a definite experience. I would consider giving it another try. Do you have any suggestions? Any references? I would really appreciate any input you should have. Thank You For Your Time,
Sincerely, Chris Witzig

Capt.Ralph Gaffin

26/Oct/1998:20:15:36

Enjoyed your web site very much. I work for Western Kentuky Navigation.I'VE been working on the river for ten years. Capt.Ralph Gaffin

Mrs. Hand's first gr

26/Oct/1998:16:03:37

We enjoyed seeing your pictures of your life on the Mississippi. We
are learning about rivers this week. Thank you for showing us your
pictures. Sometime we would like to see the inside of your towboat.
What it is like to live on the boat, what kinds of meals you have, and
more about your life there.

Your friends

Mrs. Hand's First grade class
Smithton, Illinois

edward schmidt

25/Oct/1998:18:45:13

really enjoyed your page,hope to see more in the future.i understand
what draws you back to the river.we have a small river where i live
called the neosho or grand river,i have spent most of my life on
it.thanks

STEVEN BROWN

25/Oct/1998:10:38:28

Perry Moore

17/Oct/1998:21:29:30

Super site! I work part time on river as a harbor pilot just because
I love the river and its people. Thanks for a great site!

Perry Moore

Louis and Susan Cros

15/Oct/1998:07:59:07

We enjoyed looking at you website. Thank you.

Rico Grande

09/Oct/1998:09:36:32

Hey !!!!!

Really really ...... nice.

I worked for Cenac,in Houma in "73" and broke in there and at Chotin.
I've always like the Sabine boats.They are sharpe !

I later came to Ca. docking Ships and working for Foss.

Sure do miss the Old Man River.

I now own 2 companies on the west coast , visit us on the web !

JNIGHTHAWK

WELCOME TO JACK HAWKINS, SR. WEBSITE

08/Oct/1998:20:21:02

I truly enjoyed your website, I visited Lock and Dam #21 here in Quincy,
Illinois when ever I get the chance. I built a scale model of M/V
MISSISSIPPI towboat. Keep up the good work!!

louise Driggers

08/Oct/1998:18:58:04

I cooked for my husband for a number of years on the upper and lower miss.....he now works for artco as a capt. on the m/v coop enterprise....i really like the site....sent it to our grandchildren....they have never seen a towboat from this vantage.......thank you so much.....

CAPTAIN JOE MOSELEY

08/Oct/1998:14:07:30

YOU HAVE DONE A WONDERFUL JOB NOT ONLY AS A RIVERMAN BUT AS A WEBMASTER ALSO. PONCHO KEEP UP THE GOOD WORK AND MIGHT WE CROSS PATHES ONE DAY

CAPT. JOE

Capt Tony Mantell

08/Oct/1998:11:27:35

Hey David you done a fine job on your web site very interesting and
informative.I am a Kirby employee myself presently captain on the
M/V Bronwynne Brent.

Capt. Don Sanders

07/Oct/1998:19:33:40

What a fine web site. You've done a great job capturing the real and
true essence of the river. I'm the Senior Captain of the Grand victoria
II, the casino boat that you show all lit-up in New Orleans when she
was the Flamingo Casino. I've been on her for nearly three years, and
love her more each day.
Come visit, everyone, as my guest in Rising Sun, Indiana, right across
the Ohio River from Rabbit Hash, Kentucky, and ahout 45 minutes West of
downtown Cincinnati.

al girl

07/Oct/1998:08:00:04

this is a really cool homde page for the mississippi river!

STEPHEN COLBY

05/Oct/1998:10:54:54

I WORK FOR BLUEGRASS MARINE IN PADUCAH KY YOU HAVE A VERY INFORMATIVE
PAGE. IF YOU WANT TO MAKE A TRIP ON A GRAIN TOW GIVE ME A CALL
1-800-456-9404.

BMC(SW) Perry J. Whi

Picture Page (Kids)

04/Oct/1998:22:26:50

Got a heck of a page there! Enjoyed all of it. I did time on various
US Navy ships, along with Master duty on 135 foot landing craft.
Nothing like the river as you discribe it though. But all that will
change soon cause I am into test #4 of #5 of my 200GT near coastal
Master ticket. Just have to pass plot in the am and then get the radar
endorsement. Look forward to a long career after the Navy.
Again.....great job on the page!
Chief Whitney

Robert

04/Oct/1998:19:54:40

I enjoyed your webpage!

I plan on canoeing the entire Mississippi river during the summer of
'99. Any information you could give me on brage traffic and saftey from
a canoer's perspective would be appreciated.

Thank you.

Mike

30/Sep/1998:22:30:35

Michael Ayers

30/Sep/1998:10:47:08

David O'Brien

27/Sep/1998:17:17:32

A great page! I live in Memphis and spend a lot of time on the river.
But your insight gave me a whole new look.

Thanks David

Phil Greenwood

25/Sep/1998:22:05:34

I'm 35 yrs old and had never seen a towboat ( I live in Nebraska) until
a fishing trip on the Missouri River this summer. We were camping at
Brownville Ne wich has a boat ramp to launch our fishing boat. I
remember the time was exactly 4:35am, I woke up to what sounded like a
farm tractor or combine right outside our camper. I looked outside and
to my surprise I saw the "Omaha" in tow heading up river. I was truly
amazed at the power and incredibly bright lights she had. When we got up
in the morning we forgot about fishing and headed up river to see in the
daylight what this boat really looked like. we caught her about 28 miles
upstream near Nebraska City. we tighed off on the side of the river and
watched her pass, I was in awe at her power and stil am.

Later that day we went to the riverboat museum at Brownville. This is
an old steam dredge. I started to imagine what life on the river must
really be like. You have done a excellent job with this web page in
capturing the mys

Dan Farrow

Rose city Net

25/Sep/1998:13:47:21

Nice pages.

Mitch Winder

24/Sep/1998:09:47:23

Thanks for the neat stories and photos. My wife and kids spend weekends
on the upper Miss. in Pools 13,14, and 15 aboard our 21' runabout.
Now i have a better understanding of life aboard a towboat.

Capt.Vic's other wif

20/Sep/1998:11:49:13

Hi, David....so good to see you back and read about your experiences.
Capt. Vic enjoyed your webpage about him so much and really thanks you for your comments. He is a special man (I may be a little prejudice!). I, too, have noticed the look on people's faces when I tell them what he does for a living...it's like stepping into a temporary dreamland and wondering what all you might find there. It's a hard life for you guys out there, but you are doing a great job!
Keep the great news coming....LOVE IT!

Nancy Bodden

Dan Owen

11/Sep/1998:20:20:25

Good job! Brings back the days I spent as deckhand and mate for Union Barge Line from 1958 to 1968. Those days have sure changed, going from nineteen people per boat down to about nine. The boat speed has doubled and tows are twice as heavy and on the lower, twice as big.

Wm. Zumwalt - Old Ri

Old River Bill's Home Page

11/Sep/1998:00:39:14

Joe brown just told me of your site, so a visit was in order, and think
you have a great site. Keep up the great work, its going to get a lot
more hits, after i add it to my River related - Hot Links page on my
site.

]Hope you'll drop by my site and see how a modeler builds these boats
from scratch, using my plans and info.

Keep yer lines tight. Old River Bill - at Sink'um -&- Float'us Salvage Co.
( SFSCo. ) a source for scratch building plans of Towboats and Barges,
a realm where you "Churn Mud -&- Chew Stumps" with R/C Towboats. JUST
LIKE THE REAL ONES!

mel hartsough

10/Sep/1998:22:35:37

Great page! Ran across it while surfing river stuff. My first ride on a
steamboat was also on the Natchez. My second ride was on the
Mississippi Queen and lasted about 8 years as a deckhand, watchman,
leadman, and finally mate. I also decked for Ingram, Federal, and
Gulf Canal on towboats. I had an old fellow mate from the MQ -&- DQ
that was a pilot for Sabine named Dick Weber. Maybe you know him ?
Anyway, you did an excellent job with the page. And take my advice,
don't cut you ties with the river like I did, you'll be sorry.

Joe Brown

Towboat Joe

10/Sep/1998:21:02:10

Fantastic page with some beautiful pics. I have lived on the Ohio River
all my life and can't see me ever being where I can't see a river. This
is a good site to visit whenever I'm away from the sights and sounds of
the river, thanks. See my towboat models at my web site
www.dragg.net/jbrown Have a good day...Towboat Joe

John Welch

29/Aug/1998:14:27:58

I'm a Storyteller. Fascinated with canals and river boats. A couple of years I was at a Storytelling conference in Winnona MN a got a glimps of what a riverboat was . It has taken me this long to find this site. Looking forward to reading some of your stories. I live in Massachusetts about 30 miles west of the Cape Cod canal

Rich Cherry

Austin, Texas

28/Aug/1998:21:38:06

Great content!

I really enjoyed it all!

Very informative.

Thanks for the hitch.....

Rich

Lorraine Scurti

27/Aug/1998:10:47:53

This is a beautiful website. As the wife of a towboat engineer, I
sometimes wonder why he keeps leaving me for the river. Your pictures
say a lot. He loves his work. More than once, people have gotten
far-away looks in their eyes when I tell them what my husband does for a
living. I'd love to hear from any other wives who might want to
exchange e-mail messages.

Karin V. Zippmann

21/Aug/1998:08:38:41

Your home page is great. It really does give a person the feel of the
river. I have a friend who is Chief Engineer on the Renee G.. We talk
alot about the river and the experiences he has when he's out there. I
can only imagine the hard work but the beauty of the river has to offset
the hard work. That's what pulls you all back to her.

Capt. Dennis Sanamo

11/Aug/1998:22:05:20

Capt.Paul Norman Sr.

11/Aug/1998:00:38:49

capt. ray sexton

07/Aug/1998:12:28:37

KYLE PFENNING

04/Aug/1998:19:16:33

ANYONE WANTING TO KNOW MORE ABOUT JOBS ON THE RIVER email ME AT wknkyle@aol.com

Kyle Pfenning

04/Aug/1998:19:12:06

HEY, THIS IS ABOUT AS NEAT A PAGE AS I HAVE SEEN. I WAS LOOKING FOR R.I.B.B. WHEN I STUMBLED IN.
I AM THE CREW DISPATCHER FOR WESTERN KENTUCKY NAVIGATION (WKN)...WE OPPERATE 16 BOATS ON INLAND WATERWAYS, FROM 4300 HP TO 6800 HP TOWBOATS...BEFORE I STARTED WORK IN THE OFFICE I PUT MY TIME IN ON THE BOATS....AFTER VIEWING YOUR PAGE IT GAVE ME THE BUG TO GET OUT TO THE BOATS....I AM GOING TO HAVE TO PUT THE PHONE DOWN AND TRY TO CATCH A BOAT FOR A FEW DAYS..THERE IS NO FEELING LIKE JUST COMING OFF WATCH EARLY IN THE MORNING, WATCHING THE SUN RISE AND HEAR THE SOFT RUMBLE OF THE BOAT MAKING MILES.....IF YOU ARE EVER INTERESTED IN GETTING BACK OUT GIVE ME A CALL...
OFFICE # 800-811-8133......I AM ALWAYS LOOKING FOR A GOOD EXP. MAN.....KYLE PFENNING....WKN...PADUCAH KY

Elton L. Adams

30/Jul/1998:23:07:31

I came upon your webpage while browsing . I used to work with Buddy
Strickland and Vic Boden. I was captain on the marathon when it was a
new vessel. I worked for Sabine for 17 years. I worked for Hines on the
miss. and ohio and Crowley at Long Beach Ca. I have been working for a
major oil company for the last 10 years in New York. You mentioned that
Vic Boden had a website, maybe you could pass my e-mail address to him
as i have not seen those boys in a while. I live in Texas in the Toledo
Bend area. Nice page, most people do not know how it is to live on the
water and generally dont talk much about it. Keep up the work.
Captain Elton L. Adams

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