Life on the Mississippi River with David Estrada

2000 archive

Jim Hasten		31/Dec/2000:20:35:54
How do I find a job as a cook on a riverboat/barge, what companies etc would I contact. I live in LaHarpe, IL, 4 hours from St.Louis. Your help is appreciated. Do have a good New Year.

Brian Etienne	aol.com	29/Dec/2000:21:57:40

John Rutledge		29/Dec/2000:01:24:31
I am curently working for alter and have been laid off, this is the first year i have had this problem and hope it dont last long. I started working at alter in august and have been strugling every sence. I engoy working for alter and i havent met a person at alter that i wouldnt work with again. I have been trying to get in the engine room for the last year and havent had any luck thats why i left midland I had heard their was more opertunity at alter, maybe my problem is that i havent found the right place with openings in the engine yet.

Ken Kuzenski		28/Dec/2000:09:43:12
Hi, David--just stopping by to have another peek at your site. You've done a wonderful job of capturing life on a workboat--there are some great pictures and your text is fun and interesting. If anybody asks me what my summer as a deckhand was like, I'll send them to your website to find out! ;-) Good work, David, and I hope things are going well for you. Regards -- Ken (former "World's Worst Deckhand," approximately 1983)

david estrada		26/Dec/2000:22:46:02
hello i dont know why but i wanted to look my name up on the net and this site came up so i decided to sign the guest book yours truely David Estrada

TIM R McBRIDE		26/Dec/2000:10:48:06

Barb Bass		26/Dec/2000:00:26:25
Enjoyed you site. My brother works for Kirby Corp. on the M/V Bronwynne Brent. Since I cannot e-mail him maybe you can tell him "hello" for me. His name is James (Jay) McDaniel. I will look at you site again often. Thank you.

Greg Welch		25/Dec/2000:01:26:39
hey man just looked at you site liked the story on the antigone and the "red rocket" I just so happen to be on the antigone as a steersman and the red rocket should shuved all over the place bacause the antigone is a 1800 with old 398 cats red rocket is i believe a 2200 with newer engines the antigone was built in 1967 iam not sure what year the red rocket was built thay are both good boats we are suposed to be getting new engines after the new year but not confirmed yet should be interesting then

TONY GALE		18/Dec/2000:18:31:33

evelyn hernandez		18/Dec/2000:15:32:22

Leah Roccaforte-Drul		14/Dec/2000:23:24:56
Hey Dave, I loved the website, what else have you been upto? I am living in Portland,Oregon and expecting a baby in March! Email me when you can. Leah

michael h. anderson		13/Dec/2000:14:02:49


deb and emily hawes		10/Dec/2000:22:01:32

Ruth Ramsey		10/Dec/2000:13:23:17
my father was born in Pilot Town in 1900 Just looking back.

captain tim mccarl		09/Dec/2000:14:12:34
keep up the good work!!!!!!

Lon Navarre		05/Dec/2000:21:16:57

bruce Perry		05/Dec/2000:16:04:13

Paul		05/Dec/2000:12:53:14
Pretty cool site. I am a chief engineer with Marquette Transportation; formerly with Egan Marine. Life on the river is something that only we can understand and enjoy. Keep up the good work and keep posting the pics.

Matt darnell		04/Dec/2000:20:07:55
I've been a great admirer of the sea ever since I was growing up on the Tennessee River and I own a sailboat. I would be very happy if someone would give me any information about anyone that is hiring any crew members for a Barge or a cargo boat. Thanks, Matt Darnell

laurie		03/Dec/2000:22:00:39
Greetings. My son, (20 years old), is on his second trip with ACBL as a deck hand. The first trip he worked the Illinois River and this trip he is working the lower Mississippi. He has spoken highly of his other crew members and in general seems to be impressed with the integrity and common fiber that seems to run through the type of folks who like this kind of work. I will check out your site, and certainly wish you all the best. L.

Ron Welch		02/Dec/2000:14:55:13
I worked from 86 to 91 i was one of the luckey ones i went off the head and under a 25 barge tow just below natchez Miss.one night and the only one out there with me was a green deckhand but i do miss working on the river at times .

HUGH GRIFFIN		02/Dec/2000:03:12:28
ENJOYING EVERY NEW TURN OF THE PAGE.I FEEL I HAVE DIED AND GONE TO JOHN HARTFORD HEAVEN!!!!!!!!! HUGH GRIFFIN

Brian Tamborini		25/Nov/2000:11:39:53
Hi ALL !!!!, just lookin for a good river site and happened along this one.So far,so good.Ive been on the river now for about 10 yrs.Apex, National Marine,Artco,WKN.This is the only profesion Ive ever came across where ethics are held so high.ive worked with nothing but good,honest,hard working guys!If you werent,well, Ive ran my share off as a mate.This is youre home for 30 days,if everyone aboard realizes this{on deck,wheelhouse already has the experience to know this}then you have a good working efficient boat,morale is high and everyone is happy{as happy as you can be on a towboat anyway}.Its hard and somtimes youd rather be any where else,but when you reach your ultimate goal,the wheelhouse{which I did 1 year ago},or the eng.rm. for some,it all comes clear,there nothing else in the world you can do,my friend youre a RIVER RAT!and you will be til the day you die! keep up the good work Dave!

JANIE EASTERLING		25/Nov/2000:11:23:21
my son is leaving for first time out on ingram barge as a deck hand we are excited about his travels and new work experience.

Rhenea Fisher	Flychick's Life	20/Nov/2000:22:26:38
I was browsing the internet for info on towboats, I'm thinking of becoming a relief cook on a boat. Right now, I'm a flight attendant, so it's a big change for me. While on your page, what do I see? A post from one of my best friend's Karen Jackson, who's hubby is a riverboat pilot/captain. It's a small world! Hey, and I love the pyramid pif of Memphis.. okay, now I'm headed off to view the rest of your homepage! Thanks!

Ed Gehrke		18/Nov/2000:10:22:48
I haven't looked over this site as yet to comment, but am looking forward to it. I am planning a 3000 mile trip in Spring from Louisvilleto Tampa and back. See ya, Ed Gehrke

brett	jhkjhkhjkjhkhhjkhkhj	14/Nov/2000:00:08:18
it was great send me a sheet of info or somthing like that please

JessE Dreyfuse		12/Nov/2000:17:48:28
Let's Face up and get out of here!Sound familiar?Nice job on the site,I mainly do tripwork,like to move around,meet new people,work diferent trades,It's the only life I know,and Wouldn't have it any other way,found your site like my relief man,GREAT TO SEE YA!keep up the good work,if you want some Ohio,Mon,or agony video,let me know I have some great high water action,catch ya after the next hitch,JessE

RICHARD ILLER		11/Nov/2000:18:12:04

Karen Jackson		11/Nov/2000:03:48:41
Just found your site and really haven't had a chance to explore, but I'm looking forward to it. My husband, 2 sons, a brother, and cousin all work on the river. I've recently begun to relief cook on my husband's boat now that our children are grown. It's not a lifestyle that a lot of people understand, but it's ours; and now that a fourth generation has started working out here, I think you could say that the river has been good to us.

Steve Valerius	Kirby Inland Marine	10/Nov/2000:12:12:38
I just spent a couple of day on the Ohio on the Zephyr. Great boat. I am the new President of Kirby Inland Marine (as of the merger of Kirby and Hollywood Marine last year).

Tom Zaccard		04/Nov/2000:12:24:06

TONY LINTON		01/Nov/2000:21:01:31
JUST WANTED TO SAY HELLO,SEEN YOUR SITE. I AM A SHORE-TANKERMAN FOR PETROLEUM SERVICE CORP BATON ROUGE LOUISIANA. GOT YOU BOOK MARKED! HAVE A GOOD ONE TOEKNEE

stacey		30/Oct/2000:11:28:48


Brad Koesling	fgdf	30/Oct/2000:06:21:48
what a terrific site. i was so amazed by the site that i had to go and pull off after wards in front of the screen

luther newberry		29/Oct/2000:23:08:36
just looking around. used to work for canal barge in the early 80's

Chuck Butchart		27/Oct/2000:23:04:01
Watched a towboat come out of the Winfield lock/dam complex, and either the current or the wind was pushing the barges into shallow water. I watched him use first one engine and then the other to bring the barges where they had to be. Suddenly, there was no prop wash, but the engines were working hard, and the towboat seemed to move toward the opposite shore, pushing the bow of the barge train out into the proper depth. This has been my sole experience with towboats, except for the shared experience of a lady on second shift in a shop in Gallipolis, Ohio, who told me that a young towboat captain took out four of her walnut trees one day! If I need to say this, I don't communicate as well as I thought I did, I enjoy rivers! The Bob-Lo boat in Detroit, and the story of Kaskaskia, in Illinois, and the Kenawha locks, are all part of river stories. I like to sail on the Great lakes, but rivers tell their own story!

Kitty Prince		26/Oct/2000:16:39:43
I enjoyed the photo of the Pyramid, being a Memphian, I think it's a beautiful sight to behold...especially from a towboat.

Fr. Philip P. Scott,		25/Oct/2000:23:03:38
Your presentation is excellent. As a southern historian I have often stood along the rivers Mississippi, Tennessee, and Tombigbee and watched and wondered about the men and their boats. What a great explaination. Thanks for allowing a look into your life. May the prayers of Our Lady, Star of the Sea be with you on your trips. Fr. Scott

riverchub		25/Oct/2000:01:46:34
I worked for capital towing in '92-'92. from houston to chicago. I am seeking pictures taken from the mississippi if you have any please send them to me

KEVIN BOX		24/Oct/2000:16:42:15

Ebony		19/Oct/2000:18:21:46
I really enjoyed this site, this site is also helping me on my project.

BOB MARQUIS		19/Oct/2000:17:19:49

Dewey Tyre		18/Oct/2000:08:10:10

Joan Mabry		17/Oct/2000:22:25:17
I worked as a cook for Gladders Towing for 3 years and Ingram Barge Lines for 8 1/2 years. Got the chance to take over the library here in my home town in Melbourne, Arkansas so I've been off the river for almost 12 years. Wouldn't take anything for my years on the rivers. I still miss the boats and the great guys I worked with. Hoped to see a name I recognized but guess I've been off too long. Any of you river guys who remember me, email. I'll be glad to hear from you.

rl crouch		14/Oct/2000:21:18:46

linda		14/Oct/2000:19:25:19
thank you, I was doing a report for my son in 4 th grade.

Greg Burmeister		12/Oct/2000:11:34:31

Greg Burmeister		12/Oct/2000:11:33:00
Cool website

Ryan Deck	none	11/Oct/2000:11:26:11
My two brothers work off and on the upper Mississippi and have for the last twenty years. One, Robert was a pilot on the uper harbor boats up here in Minnesota, and the other, Doyle was a deck hand. As I would go with them alot and was able to get my hands dirty by some of the work, piloting, and decking, I learned just how hard the work realy is, and long hours too. But as for me I drove truck for aprox 13-14 years untill I got hurt on the job and am currently waiting surgery, witch I have a lot of time on my hands now and am working on a R/C river boat from Dumas, I am going to rename it the Crimson Glory though not the American Beauty. as I am doing the colors of that one. thats how I stumbled onto your site, Old River Bill. I am looking to join their club. Love your site, and keep up the hard work. see ya.

Linda Mallory-Price		05/Oct/2000:23:50:32
My father, Albert Mallory, was a towboat pilot/captain for over 25 years. In fact, after his death in 1972, at age 59, a towboat was named in his honor. I proudly display the picture of it and I am going to present "Life on the Mississippi" to my grandson's fourth grade class here in California. Two of my father's three brothers worked on the river also. My cousins and I used to lament that our classmates did not fully understand what our fathers did for a living. After all, who has a father that is home for 30 days and then he is gone for 30 days. My Dad enjoyed his work so much and even though it required him to be away from his family, he also loved this Mississippi River as a family member. May all of those who work on the river experience the feeling of contentment and pride that my father did. It carried him through 25 years and has continued to stay with me and my family.

Gary -&- Peggy Wade		04/Oct/2000:20:08:18

rod sherman		03/Oct/2000:23:32:12

Alan Stephenson		03/Oct/2000:15:32:01
I enjoyed the tour very much.I've been fascinated by the river for years and have wanted to work on a big boat for a long time.Maybe someday I will!

Nikki Finlay		02/Oct/2000:19:02:39
This page helped me alot thank you :)

Mary Banski		26/Sep/2000:18:35:55
Help! I need to find people that might have worked at Brent Towing in Greenville Mississippi in the 60's and 70's. If you worked for Brent Towing, or if you knew any of the people that worked at Brent Towing, Please contact me. Brent Towing might have also been called Brent Terminals or Brent Transportation. Thank you for any leads you can give me on finding people! I enjoyed your page. Mary Banski MBanski@mail.com

matt haneline		25/Sep/2000:00:18:36
david, very cool web page .i wish we had found it earlier in the evening.my dad is entertaining the idea of applying for a position as a cook.if you know any online cooks give them my email address,dad has a ton of questions

Barry -&- Connie Danks		22/Sep/2000:10:53:19
We are considering the river for crusing grounds. We have a 36' trawler and have been local crusing in lower Lake Huron and Lake St Clair. I will be spending more time looking at your site and learning as much as I can before heading your way.

Toney Potter		21/Sep/2000:14:07:16
Your site is very intersting and I enjoyed it very much. A friend and I are thinking of building a small pontoon boat and traveling the length of the Mississippi. Could you refer me to any information or sites that might help us? Thanks and Good Luck, Toney

SYBLE M. SMITH		21/Sep/2000:13:50:53

I C Phillips		20/Sep/2000:17:32:32
Just returned recently from a trip up river from the big easy on to Vicksburg and return. Memorable. Thanks for your website. great work. The Phillips, river converts from Calif.

cody		19/Sep/2000:21:30:47

Delixious Boo		18/Sep/2000:22:35:30
You need a little more information for people who are doing research papers.

dave lavender		18/Sep/2000:20:41:10
Just curious. I've grown up along the Ohio River and now after some time down on the Cumberland River in Tennessee. I am back home. I have always had the urge to work the boats but have never done so. I am enthralled with rivers and look forward to your site. Thanks and peace like a river, dave lavender

Mike - West Newton M		13/Sep/2000:21:20:27

joe galluzzi		12/Sep/2000:17:02:31
i think the mississippi river is a very important part of the american therefore i would like to sign up to this website

Donna Mattson		05/Sep/2000:13:58:53

Kim Abraham		04/Sep/2000:12:03:00
My husband and I have talked about living on the mississippi river. We are interested in living on a house boat and traveling the river. Any information that may help us get started will be greatly appreciated.

Kim Abraham		04/Sep/2000:11:50:02
My husband and I have talked about living on the mississippi river. We are interested in living on a house boat and traveling the river. Any information that may help us get started will be greatly appreciated.

James A. Kimm		03/Sep/2000:11:41:59

clint		01/Sep/2000:21:50:57

Capt.Jesse New		01/Sep/2000:06:21:04
Just found your page have not had time to look at much.

david goin		26/Aug/2000:15:33:58
just visting take care and be safe out there

timmothy smith		22/Aug/2000:20:25:14
great site keep up the good work ,,,later Red

April		20/Aug/2000:22:32:13
I live on the Mississippi at Memphis. Tonight Michael and I took ocean kayaks out across the River to an island called the Loosahatchie Bar. Getting there was fine, but getting back was hell! We paddled and paddled, and were standing still! We finally made it back with a renewed respect for this magnificent River. Thanks for your Website.

Tom Craig (TTBoat)		17/Aug/2000:12:34:51
My first visit to your site. I like viewing the guestbook. I'm in my 16th year on the river systems as a chief engineer. Tom.....

kevin miller aka ta		15/Aug/2000:00:18:10
this brought back back a lot of memories. i rode the m.v. Paulina in 87 or 88 with a great cajun capt. the late Hoot Gibson he passed away at st. louis after we built a tow all day he never woke up for his watch and i couldnt go back.put a little polish on the bell for me next sunday morning and have a few more river sunsets . i miss her

Thomas L. Clooney		11/Aug/2000:20:35:28
enjoyed you site. use to work for Sabine in the 80's. now working for Kirby Inland Marine since Hollywood Marine merge with Kirby. R.Capt on M/V pride. Keep up the good work.corrected e.mail address

Thomas L. Clooney		11/Aug/2000:20:33:20
enjoyed you site. use to work for Sabine in the 80's. now working for Kirby Inland Marine since Hollywood Marine merge with Kirby. R.Capt on M/V pride. Keep up the good work.

Old River Bill	Old River Bill's - R/C Towboat Models	06/Aug/2000:00:52:38
Hi David, I was linked to your site, but it went down sometime agao and we couldn't find it again. SO I took your web link off my pages, then suddenly discovered you were back - GREAT!.... Missed ya and several had asked where ya went too? I figure ya just changed ISP's or redone the site address and we hadn't found ya again, till now. Keep yer lines tight and good ta have ya back as part of our web listings.. Old River Bill at SFSCo Scale Plans -&- VHS Videos

JACK HITTS		02/Aug/2000:08:56:46

Wendell Johnson		29/Jul/2000:17:09:48
I am a native of Minnesota and now live in Arizona. I would like to make a trip down the river next year in a riverboat such as was used by river men in the 1800s. Something like a scow with a sail. I would appreciate any help you might give or if you know someone that may give me information. Thanks.

Hugh		28/Jul/2000:15:25:35
Enjoyed your web page. If I were younger I think I would like the river and the work. Enjoy yourself, be safe, and keep up the good work. I look forward to your updates in the future.

Mark Libert		25/Jul/2000:11:40:32

Cricket		19/Jul/2000:09:26:14
Friends are going to be traveling with you the first week of August. they have promised to give me a full report when they return home. Please say hello to the Davis' of New Jersey from all of their friends and neighbors here at home. Have fun folks!!!

matt dale		17/Jul/2000:22:31:04

Ken Kuzenski		14/Jul/2000:05:55:48
David--I found your page from a link at the Waterways Journal. Only had a bit of time this morning to look, but I've bookmarked it and will be back often. The pictures are wonderful. I worked as a deckhand one summer, back when I was trying to finish college, and while I made a TERRIBLE deckhand, I came to love watching the towboats. Right now I'm trying to draw up plans for a 1/48 scale model of the M/V Port Allen, the little harbor boat I was on, that summer 20 years ago. I've been browsing river-related links looking for helpful material. I've found that there are MANY scratch towboat modelers out there and there's a lot of helpful material. By the way, I live in Raleigh, NC, these days, far from any significant river, but when we visit river cities, I always make time to sit along the river and watch the workboats. Thanks again for the excellent website! I'll browse often! --Ken

david wells		13/Jul/2000:07:39:37
I liked your page. I live on the Mississippi at interstate 80.In a24 ft searay. The river is so relaxing,watching the barges go by, seeing the wildlife,andjust watching the water go by. I plan on getting a larger boat,40 ft to travel the river systems of the U.S.when I retire. well if you go by the I 80 bridge at LeClaire IA you might see me. first dock on IOWA side above bridge . every one have a nice day. happy cruising.

Larry Morris		12/Jul/2000:08:02:33
start early- stay long

christopher n. seay		11/Jul/2000:14:33:05
I am a frist mate for a major barge line just thought I would check out your site

Roberto Estrada		07/Jul/2000:10:43:52
What are you getting into primo?

Mike Clementz		04/Jul/2000:11:44:45

john werne		04/Jul/2000:11:02:27

jan cornish		25/Jun/2000:12:05:58
very enjoyable

Mike Hamlin		24/Jun/2000:21:02:50
Excellant job on your sight!!!

Carol Hockenberry		22/Jun/2000:15:41:22
I was a cook for The Valley Line Company for 8 years, I really miss the work and the people, it was nice to visit your pages and go back and just remember the river times, I do miss river life

paul anderson		21/Jun/2000:04:36:53

Dennis Murphy		20/Jun/2000:21:40:19
David, thanks for your Web page. I just spent a couple of hours reminiscing about my days on the River. I'm a 52 year old lawyer with a wife and three teenage kids now, I live in Santa Fe, New Mexico. But before all of that I spent about 15 months on a towboat to earn money to go to law school. I was a tankerman too. I worked out of Memphis for a company called Thomas Marine, out of McKees Rocks Pa. Generally the boats I was on carried fuel and petrochemicals from Houston to Chicago. Almost all of the people I worked with were from Tenn., Miss., and Alabama. I am certainly pleased to see that a man with a Hispanic surname is able to get a job on a boat so easily, it certainly wasn't that way in the early 70's. I share many of the experiences and memories you report, including the long hours, good food , hard work, beautiful views, good people and above all, the love of the river. I still make it a point to look out the airplane window whenever the jet flys over the Mississipp

Deb Haralson		20/Jun/2000:12:21:07
Hello David, Enjoyed your site. Just got back from a trip to New Orleans, and we also rode the Natchez..very pleasant. I watched tugs for quite a while one evening. I was wondering what it was like to work on one. Thanks for the insight. It seems like hard work, but a great way to see the country. What will your degree be in and what do you plan to do with the rest of your life? Will it involve maritime work? Thanks, Deb

Byron Cureton		08/Jun/2000:16:54:24
Howdy! I finally made it home and the frist thing I did was I looked @ your website! Byron

matt cameron		07/Jun/2000:12:42:10
we like your web site

jd hammond		05/Jun/2000:14:34:58

Mitch Massaro		05/Jun/2000:12:49:51
I really like your website. It is very educational.

james runderson		01/Jun/2000:18:18:29
dude, man thanks alot for your inspiring web site. i just got off of the phone today with brandon who is the recruiter for kirby marine and i'm all set to join the fleet of kirby as soon as i retire from the u.s. navy.i'll probably be in their training class the first part of september if not earlier. so how the hell are you doing these days? are back out or still in school? dude please e-mail me back at runjrun@yahoo.com so that i can pick that experience brain of yours.i got a few okay alot of questions to ask you, and when are you going to up date your site? v/r runde

Jamie		29/May/2000:16:07:49
I am a student at a Highschool. I am hoping to find what I need at this website.... I am looking up stuff for my science project. From what I have seen so far, I think this is pretty cool.

John Blessing		24/May/2000:12:41:03
River Rat from Cincinnati Ohio.Enjoyed your web page. I spend a lot of time down on the riverfront in Cincinnati watching the riverboats go up and down the river.

Sasha and Amy		22/May/2000:19:55:01
We used your web site for a report on the Mississippi.My daughter made a colouge for the cover from all your great photos.... Thanks so much!!

Troy L. Clapp		22/May/2000:19:37:52

Eugene J Cappel		10/May/2000:20:23:47
This web site was passed along to me from one of the Sales managers at Kirby Corp. I have spent 30 years scheduling barges for a large Chemical Co. and he said I would enjoy this web site. Thanks for the time you spent putting it all together.

HARRIS		06/May/2000:12:22:43
I REALLY LIKE YOUR WEBSITE . I WORKED FOR NATIONAL MAINE AND CAPITOL TOWING FOR FOUR YEARS.IVE BEEN JUST ABOUT EVERWHERE.

Eddie Hopper		02/May/2000:21:03:30
cool site,I'll probably see you down the River somewhere in the future, if just in passing.Later Dude

Darren McAlpine		23/Apr/2000:15:13:05

Lindsey Bennett		16/Apr/2000:17:52:18

Jerry Garrett		13/Apr/2000:21:53:33

deck hand		13/Apr/2000:18:16:28
Well I have to say im going on my 3rd month of deck work and love every second of it. Workin in the Memphis Harbor for Wepfer Marine lets me see a lot of tows and learn many things. Ever in the area and have one of us come out to help with tow work ill be lookin forward to meeting ya. Have a fun and safe trip

Bill Bowing		09/Apr/2000:19:30:56
I am a great towboat fan. You would think that I would finnally get tired of looking at them but I never do. I have been looking at them for a long time for I am eighty years old. Thanks again for the site Bill

ccarlson		09/Apr/2000:09:33:34
I'm fascnated by the history of the Mississippi River and tributaries. I wonder if there are boats that take riders - not a cruise or full- time hand, but somewhere in-between - to get a feel of the river life.

Bryan A. Breaux	Bryan.Breaux.com	03/Mar/2000:12:36:38
Dear Dave, It's been to too long since we had a Black -&- Tan down in the Foc'sle. I hope to see you real soon in the mouth watering foam my friend. Here's to the one's that stay and the one's that go... Sincerely, Bryan p.s. the website looks great...I'm up the Mississippi...

Yeuki Ishijima		28/Feb/2000:00:58:46
Reading your stories, about life on the mississippi, really gave a clear picture of how it might feel being there. Your feelings are nicely expressed in your writing. The pictures compliments the writing very well.

Lisa Canoy		25/Feb/2000:22:12:44
My husband works on the Mississippi River for Magnolia Marine Transport on the Amy Frances so I thought I'd visit your site and check it out. Thank you for giving me a glimple into his month out on the river.

jr		22/Feb/2000:19:23:46
I was a deckhand on the ohio river iworked for Mcginnis. I miss working out there so i know how it is out there. thank you for the memories. little twig

John Devine		22/Feb/2000:04:36:32
Hi, My 17yo Daughter is writing a paper on "Steamboats on the Ol Miss" so I thought I would visit. I'm looking for info on Capt. Simp McGee of Decatur,AL. Thanks, John

Mark Atkins		21/Feb/2000:10:58:00
I wish very much that you would give your e-mail address. I have a question that I want to throw your way. Good site. Mark

v swift		20/Feb/2000:17:39:24

jd sinclair		19/Feb/2000:13:20:30
I am currently trying to get a job on a river boat, been working on a cruise ship and i'm tired of dealing with tourists. Thanks for all the info- you have a great site.

Ramona McConnell		18/Feb/2000:23:55:06

David L. Freeman		18/Feb/2000:10:06:32
I am a scale modeler and model towboats and barges in HO scale or 3.5MM=1Ft. Information on towboats and barges is hard to find. I called Bill Zumwalt after finding his number in a magazine article and he put me on to the Waterways Journal. I have compiled a notebook of pictures and other info but finding this web site is like finding a gold mine. Keep up the good work. Thanks, Dave Freeman.

opie		17/Feb/2000:01:33:08
David it was good seeing you over in Pine Bluff the other day. The site is great I hope you get adding to it for years to come. You are right when you said you meet some great people out on the boats. Men and women how have families and love ones at home who keep the materials moving on the river at great personal lose to their family life.Most people cann't even begin to realize what it is like to be gone more than being at home but this is what they do to put food on the table and clothes on the backs of their children. Hope for a mild winter and keep on with the site. I delivered the message to Billy for you and told him and the others at Mapco also. Later and I know I'll see you around. Opie

Michel Page		15/Feb/2000:19:52:12
Too early to tell I just found your site.I will come back Michel

Richard Baker		14/Feb/2000:04:47:28

diana hudson		13/Feb/2000:22:04:14
beautiful pictures.

Lue vanhout		12/Feb/2000:13:54:26

Bill Steinike		10/Feb/2000:10:39:27
Enjoyed reading your web page. My wife and I have traveled on all three Queens (DQ, MQ, AQ) on the rivers, mostly on the upper Miss., and now live at mile 682.9 just above Lock 8. Give us a "toot" if you pass by sometime. We enjoy watching the towboats pass by and I have kept a log of the ones we see. Keep up the web page since it is interesting to hear about the river from someone who is actually working on it.

Jay Daves	JAY DAVES HOMEPAGE	09/Feb/2000:02:21:49
Interesting pages along with others about life working on the rivers of our nation. I was raised in Fort Smith, Ark. on the Arkansas River.

Nikki Savage		08/Feb/2000:13:36:29

Mark R. Eyestone		08/Feb/2000:08:22:44
A great site, kind of the electronic Richard Bissel, "A Stretch on the River".Wonderful photography, too. I know it is a lot of work creating a a site like this. I've read about the rivers and towboats for years but am too old to work a tow now. I do volunteer on two work boats in the Chicago area, though. Chicago Ship No. 1 was launched in 1926 and is 47 x 10 x 3-1/2. Ugh the Tug is even older; was launched in 1915. I do whatever needs doing on the boats to keep them working, clean, painted, etc. I love to e-mail about work boats. Am looking for a small work boat to buy so I can have one of my own. E-mail Capt. Mark at istone@ix.netcom.com.

HenryAtherton		08/Feb/2000:01:56:00
Hi David, Just want you to know what a truly marvelous job you've done with this site! Marvelous experience you give the visitor. You've sure got a great attitude, brother. Henry

Steve Fisher		08/Feb/2000:00:53:33
I very much enjoyed your site. Although I am not a towboater I have been interested in them for many years. I live about 25 miles from the Ohio River near where it meets the Kanawha. My in-laws live right on the river. It makes for enjoyable visits to sit out in the yard and watch the boats go by.

Larry Smith		07/Feb/2000:19:07:37
as a fellow towboater, i share your enthusium about life of the river. It is something that really gets in your blood and helps form the way of life that you live, at work as well as at home. With the way things are going, I'm afraid that the good day are soon to be over, all the new hires, well most of them doesnt want to know or care to find out about our way of life and the traditions that follow. As a mate on the M/V Gayolyn Ann Griffin, I try to train and teach these guys, and one girl, what I know and how to use what I teach to work as safely as they can, but I find more incidents everyday on people getting hurt just to go home with pay. Though it all, my sprits are up and i look foward to returning to work after my time off. The only complaint I got is I miss my family (Wife and Daughter) My little girl now has the habit of sleeping with one of my t-shirts while I'm gone. If you are wondering about the 1 female deckhand I had, she was one of the best, hardest working person I've m

Remy Miller		07/Feb/2000:17:04:19
I am in the 2nd grade and learning about life on the Mississippi. Thank you for telling me about it

Craig Hearn		06/Feb/2000:13:04:30
Dear David; I was a deckhand on the boats Cooperative Spirit and Cooperative Enterprise, both formerly Agri-Trans boats, now ARTCo boats from October 1990 to April 1994. I am presently a professional commodities relocater, (a truck driver), which is far from what I had planned when I left the river but it is similar to the river in that it is a job that no one appreciates, respects, nor even tries to. It is another thankless job that only those of us that do can seem to comprehend and enjoy. I miss the river for numerous reasons, among them being the fact that it takes an independent type of person to work with all that towboating demands. The 24/7 lifestyle of boat life with people whom you have to deal with on the extremes of personal and "professional" levels, and, believe it or not, I miss the work. I have described to others life on a towboat as hard, unusual; and fun, and they look at

David Andrews		03/Feb/2000:22:16:42
I'v worked on the river for thee past 10 years. I'v about figured out that only a certain type oof personcan addapt to life on the river. I'v worked on many different tow boats and pushed many different types of cargo.Any thing from grain to many grades of oil. And I have never riden any two boats that the crew is alike. If you are looking to go to work on a tow boat go out ready and be prepared to do most anything.And remember it is not for everyone.....

Pete	The Mississippi Challenge	03/Feb/2000:21:28:21
Your site has been a tremendous helping in assisting us in finding as much information on the Mississippi as possible. June 26th, 2000, two water skiers from Australia will be slipping into the waters of the Mississippi at the Coon Rapids dam and begin the adventure of a lifetime. They will be water skiing the length of the river to the Gulf in six days. We're currently raising money for cancer research in the United States and hope to build a Ronald McDonald type home in Queensland, Australia. We will be traveling at an average of 60mph so safety and as much information concerning the river would be greatly appreciated by all of your Guests. I've sent your site over to Australia as a valuable source of information. Thanks for the help and we're always looking for more. Pete

James Swafford		03/Feb/2000:17:14:13
I am preparing to work for a barge company. I got on the internet to find some information about this kind of work and came across your page. Thank-you for sharing your experiences I found them helpful.

daniel guidry		03/Feb/2000:15:25:49
being a towboater myself:really enjoyed this site

larry tallman		03/Feb/2000:00:01:38
Thanks, I really enjoy your website. Keep it up. Retired Tow Boater(Lower Mississippi River)

dick miller		02/Feb/2000:16:01:35
I spent 30 years working for National Marine Service, Inc.(formerly Lake Tankers Corp. I have been retired since 1983 and still miss the industry and its fine people.

tom gay		01/Feb/2000:21:17:18

roslyn d corner		01/Feb/2000:20:35:29

Debbie		01/Feb/2000:18:41:43
We are planning the "Great Rivers Towboaters Festival" for June 24th and 25th of 2000 in Grafton IL(located at the junction of the upper Mississippi and IL rivers). It will be an informative and educational look at the Towing Industry. We hope to have tours of a docked towboat, along with information booths, river music, models, photo displays, storytelling and "The Great Towboat Cooks Cook-Off" to be judged by retired Captains. If you are interested in attending or helping with the planning we would welcome your advice and/or comments. This is the first year of what will become an Annual Event. Thank you for the information that your web site has already provided.

Tom Hughes		01/Feb/2000:17:51:19
Being an old Port Arthur boy, when I see the Diamomd 'S' stack ensignia, it brings back a lot of memories. The history of Sabine Towing Company would fill a book. From Munger Ball, the founder with Pure Oil Company(any one remember The Pure Co.)to when Kirby bought them out. We have lost a lot of good companies and men to the consolidation of the marine industry. It is a great web sight. I have forwarded it on to many friends in the industry.

jeff fontenot		01/Feb/2000:16:06:34
I'ma tankerman for psc. I love the mississippi river worked on it for 12 years now I go from plant to plant on shore. but I still like seeing a nice clean boat.Well you be sefe you and your crew.

Steve Lindstrom		01/Feb/2000:11:48:39

Jim Hutton		31/Jan/2000:21:02:42
Great Web Site David! Capt. Jim Hutton( Ret.)Worked for Sabine for quite a while M/V posiden-&- M/V Zypher just two of the boats i worked on for sabine towing Anyway thank you for bringing back forgotten memories,I have run mississippi river from one end to the other ohio river the same also intercoastal from brownsville to port st joe fla. the Tenn. river ill. river mo. river ark. river. enjoyed all my time on water 25 yearswell not going to drag this out . so thx. for the great site you have. sen. Capt Jim Hutton ( RET.)

Rex Hughes		30/Jan/2000:16:58:09
Enjoyed your site very much I Caught my first boat on May 16 1950 at the Standard Oil Dock in Paducah Ky.(The steam-sternwheel Jason of the Union Barge Line) Retired 6 28 86 The best life in the world

SCOTT		29/Jan/2000:22:44:01
very well done good stories and pictures thanks

JILL		29/Jan/2000:18:45:00
As a 4th grade teacher, in social studies we learn about the Mississippi River. It was very interesting to come upon your website. I plan to show my class some of your information and pictures, especially the photos of where the river empties into the Gulf of Mexico. Thanks for adding something special to my curriculum.

LARISSA		28/Jan/2000:21:28:15
THIS IS A REALLY AWESOME SITE. I CAN SENSE THE PASSION YOU HAVE FOR WHAT YOU DO, AND THAT IS TRULY RESPECTABLE. YOU HAVE SO MUCH INFORMATION, A BIG DIFFERENCE COMPARED TO THE SITES OF OTHER STUDENTS. CONTINUE DOING ALL THAT YOU ARE DOING, FOR A PASSION LIKE YOURS IS HARD TO FIND THESE DAYS. I WILL BE A FRESHMAN AT SEU NEXT YEAR, SO I WOULD APPRECIATE IT IF YOU WOULD E-MAIL ME. THANX!!

Eric		28/Jan/2000:06:57:10
I especially enjoyed your photos taken just upriver from Cincinnati. I live in Cincy and have canoed past the "Castle" on the left downstream bank and often wondered what it was too. I wonder what tow captains/pilots think of many pleasure boaters? I'd have to think that there are a lot of mixed feelings, many of them not fit to print. Good luck in college and on the river.

corky		24/Jan/2000:19:54:34
I have enjoyed the site very much.

memphis		23/Jan/2000:21:26:03
last trip was 60 days on batonrouge new orleans turn around for ACBL rode from nov.4 to jan 5 2000 we were pretty busy till christmas then it slowed down a little we saw a new age come into being. at the time we were fog bound but in good spirits with a hand shake for every one and well wishing all around, moments like those is what keep good people coming back to the river. enjoyed your site i leave here and returne to the river 02 01 2000 e mail me

mike culbreth		22/Jan/2000:23:13:27

Nora		22/Jan/2000:07:43:20
Truly enjoyed your site. I was just cruising around getting info. regarding the Mississippe river for my daughter's fifth grade project and serendipitiously happened onto your site, it was truly enjoyable. Despite all the hard physical work you have had to endure you have found the silver lining to life. The wealth of information you must have regarding river life and your ability to communicate it as well as you do is truly a gift. Perhaps your the Samuel Clemens of the cyber world. Thank you

Anthony Choate		20/Jan/2000:13:23:22
Been decking on the river since 86` I really enjoyed your web page, and anything to do with the river. And that's alot easier to say, when you're home on the couch.

John Rich		19/Jan/2000:22:14:25
I have just finished my first 30 day trip on a tug for ACBL. I was really a great experince. I am still really green but i loved it. And really enjoyed your site i was trying to find pictures to show my family in nc what we do. thanks keep up the site.

Jamie		18/Jan/2000:21:28:23
I'm planning to canoe the length of the Big River this fall. Hope to see y'all on the water!

jeff smallwood		16/Jan/2000:14:40:55

Casey		16/Jan/2000:14:29:39

Nancy		16/Jan/2000:13:54:47
Melissa Pankey		12/Jan/2000:23:23:52
I thought that your page was great. My husband works on the towboats also and I really enjoy knowing what it is really like out there for him and all of you who choose it as a profession. Great page.

J.M. Phillips		10/Jan/2000:23:31:13
I just made my first hitch with Coastal Towing Inc. My job realy hasn't become a job yet, its still a wonderfull adventure. I really enjoyed your site. good luck and best wishes. The other day I was up in the pilot house, and some other cap'n from another tow came across the radio with a funny comment "You know Kirby is getting so damn big why just the other day, I was watching the news ,saw the space shuttle landing and it had the Kirby flag on the side of it"

Andy Becker		06/Jan/2000:10:42:32
I am very interested in the river boat life. I've read about your life on the river and I would like to do the same thing. If you could give me any info on this, I would be greatful. Andy Becker 806 Carolyn Jean O'Fallon, Mo 63366 (636) 240-3640

Hi, my son-in-law is a tugboat pilot in Illinois and they are thinking about possibly moving to Missississpi if he can find work in this area. Can you give me any ideas as where to start? I would greatly appreciate it. Thankyou, Nancy.