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February 6, 2006 -- Vol. 6 Issue 6 Written by Jack R. Simpson (unless otherwise noted), owner of J.R. Simpson & Associates, Inc. and contributing editor to The Waterways Journal.
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 In This Newsletter:
Thought For The Week
“A genius! For thirty-seven years I’ve practiced fourteen hours a day, and now they call me a genius! — Pablo Sarasate, Spanish violinist. A Personal Note From Jack
 Since 9/11 we have heard a lot about photographers being “hassled” for photographing boats along the waterways. Actually, Homeland Security activities have made it seem more difficult for photographers. You can become a “person of interest” when you least expect it. My own take on this is to “get used to it.” After all, the task of the Homeland Security agency is not an easy one. They are constantly being criticized for not protecting this or that activity. I say just keep your credentials in order and be able to provide a phone number of a credible person or authority who can vouch for you. You might even accidentally make some new and important contacts.
Gulf Coast photographer Daniel Dennis has asked if there is a Coast Guard rule that makes photographing boats illegal. He says he has been told by boat crews that there is. Other B&B contributors have kicked this subject around for a couple years. B&B checked with the Public Affairs Office of the Eighth Coast Guard District and put the question to them. The answer is no. There is no rule. There is nothing to keep you from taking pictures on private property. Petty Officer James Harless explained that this does not mean you will not be questioned at some time or another. Security officials might come up and ask to explain what you are doing. (My own take is that this is within reason, and we should accept, graciously if possible. After all, they are trying to do a job, and they all get their orders.) As for being on private property, that’s another story. We would expect any photographer venturing onto private property to get permission just as Dennis says he does. According to him, he has had no serious problems with security people when he obtains the permissions he needs. I think it was comments from boat crews in the last couple weeks that provoked his inquiry. He was told by crews that they are required to report to their companies if their boats are being photographed. In the case of entering private property, put yourself in the place of the owner. Suppose he sees a stranger from a long distance snapping pictures. He doesn’t know him. He doesn’t have any idea why he would be taking pictures. Why would the owner not be more than curious? Why would some not even be moved to notify authorities? Some of these people operate facilities that would be desirable targets for terrorists. They also come under Homeland Security rules and most participate in some kind of security systems to anticipate and avoid trouble. So, to repeat, taking pictures from public property is governed by any Coast Guard rules but expect that at some time or another you may be questioned. On private property, always get the proper permission to be there. It would seem likely that a phone call or two might clear the path and help you avoid complications. I shouldn’t think written permission would be a necessity. Newsletter News
 The story last week about the lead barge of the Ms. Angel tow sinking on the Gulf Intracoastal Waterway was written in such a manner that might have led readers to believe that the vessel and barges sank. That is not true. Though it was an integrated vessel-barge unit, the lead barge was detached when it sank.
The number of people subscribing to B&B is rising steadily toward the 850 mark. We have many readers who do not subscribe. Might be a good time to run classified ads. See our ad further down in the letter. Web Site News
Statistics from the web site show that we had 14,911 visits during January, producing 443,955 hits. To our knowledge, that is the highest number of visitors we have had in a single month. Companies might consider that when they are looking for a place to advertise. We do sell banners by the month which gives them 24/7 coverage 24 hours a day for an entire month at a very nominal fee. For information, click here. For Those Inclined To Pray
 We have modified the steps for joining our Prayer Circle. If you visit the Prayer Circle link on at www.littleriverbooks.com, you will find that those who sign up are completely anonymous. We do not ask for first names nor states of residence. Joining is as simple as providing an email address to which we can send future prayer requests. Each prayer request list includes a link for including requests.
By joining our Prayer Circle, you can tap into the prayerful support of circle members wherever they are. Membership and prayer requests are open to everyone.
On The Waterfront
(Editor’s note: We have been reporting on the passage of the Water Resources Development Act for months, with the House having passed WRDA 2005 before Katrina hit the Gulf Coast. It still must pass the Senate. The following is a letter to President Bush about hurricane recovery and water resources Development.)  National Waterways Conference Writes Bush About WRDA
Dear Mr. President, The members of the National Waterways Alliance were greatly heartened by the announcement of your support for proposed measures designed to provide the citizens of New Orleans with enhanced protection from future flooding, such as armoring the levees, moving pumping stations to the mouths of three drainage canals in New Orleans to block storm surge, federalizing a section of parish-owned levee in Plaquemines, and beginning a federal-state coastal restoration plan to help weaken storm surge from future hurricanes. The work that Mr. Powell has done is to be commended. In addition, we have been delighted with indications from the Congressional authorization and appropriations committees that they are willing to act quickly as soon as your Administration relays the necessary requests. The National Waterways Alliance has received Congressional recognition as the largest, most diverse coalition supporting economic and environmental sustainability of our coasts, ports and waterways and represents interests covering the broad range of missions of the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers, including transportation, flood control, hydropower, water supply, recreation and environmental restoration. Since the proposed measures require authorization in the Water Resources Development Act of 2006, it would be our pleasure to add our collective voice to yours in urging swift passage in the Senate and prompt conference consideration of that bill. As you know, the Water and Power branch within the Office of Management and Budget has much influence on the viability of plans to go forward as well as amounts and timely allocation of reconstruction funds in those areas affected by the hurricanes. It is our hope that your office will personally work with them to ensure that your will and message are faithfully carried out through the authorization and appropriations processes so that New Orleans can quickly be restored to its place as one of America¹s greatest cities. Sincerely, Worth Hager Secretariat, National Waterways Alliance and President, National Waterways Conference, Inc. (Final Editor’s note: Industry leaders are optimistic about passage of WRDA this time around. It behooves everyone who can do so to communicate their desires to their senators that this important legislation be passed so that our Mississippi River system can be move back toward proper maintenance and, importantly, modernization.) Wisconsin Town Won’t Take Federal Money The federal government earmarked $400,000 for the Cassville, Wis., river ferry, but because the money must be used for capital improvements and not operating expenses, the town is refusing the money. The village president said the time isn’t right to buy a new vessel for the ferry, and there is no need to embark on a big improvement project for the landing area and terminal. It is suspected that as the request for money worked its way through appropriations, it got stuck in with transportation appropriations and cannot be used for operating expenses. So Cassville has passed up the cash. Oil Spills Into New Jersey River Authorities at Totowa, N.J., have reported that 9,000 gallons of refined oil spilled into the Passaic River Sunday after a tank ruptured. The spill caused an eight-mile oil slick. Booms were being set up on the river to contain the slick. Totowa is about 20 miles west of New York City. WorkBoat Show Will Return To New Orleans You will be reading more about this later, but recovery in New Orleans has reached a point that the International WorkBoat Show will take place there later this year. Last year’s plans were disrupted by Katrina and Rita. Corps Repeats Plans For Spring Rises on Missouri River Nothing particularly new here, but the Corps, constantly being bombarded by criticism about the planned spring rises on the Missouri, has announced that it has no plans to change its mind. The issue over not providing insurance to farmers who might suffer crop damage because of man-made floods is controversial. One Harrisburg, Mo., letter writer said the Corps is only doing its job and is not to be faulted but that the Risk Management Agency should be required to reimburse farmers who suffer such losses. He suggests that Sen. Christopher “Kit” Bond, a member of the Senate Appropriations Committee, might remind the Risk Management Agency that he holds the reins for funding that agency’s administrative costs. Sounds good to us. You can contact the editor directly at jacksimpson@littleriverbooks.com. advertisement
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Re: Sternwheeler/River Queen “Nice piece on the Gordon C. Greene/River Queen in the newsletter. Also, it turned up some great photos that I haven’t seen previously. Yours of the boat’s early days at Hannibal are really great, especially that stern wheel with no buckets left! “I checked Way’s Directory the other night and I, too, noted that he said the boat became the River Queen at Owensboro. I have several big file folders on the boat and even have copies of news clippings showing her leaving Owensboro for Bradenton, Fla. The name “The Sternwheeler” is still emblazoned across her stern. She was also taken up Green River for the dedication of a lock during her Owensboro sojourn. I also have a color brochure that was released upon her opening at Bradenton, and a news article proclaiming the boat’s name change to River Queen. Capt. Fred was fabulous and I loved him dearly, but there are mistakes in his directories!“ (So Keith Dug Into Those Files.) “I dug into my filing cabinets, and here’s what I found in regard to the name of the Sternwheeler vs. River Queen while at Owensboro, Ky. These are from copies of news clippings that were sent to me by the public library at Owensboro in 1993. “From ‘The Messenger and Inquirer’ - Owensboro, KY —Tuesday, July 10, 1956: “A photo of the towboat Gibraltar moving The Sternwheeler contained this caption: Packet Boat Ahoy — History rolled back a few years yesterday afternoon when the old packet boat The Sternwheeler, left her moorings near the foot of St. Ann Street for a trip down the Ohio and up the Green River to Calhoun. She will play an important part in dedication of new locks at Calhoun and Spottsville. “From ‘The Messenger and Inquirer’ - Wednesday, December 5, 1956: “A photo (obviously taken at night) of the boat with a towboat alongside) contained this caption: Long Voyage Begins — The Sternwheeler is being picked up here by the towboat Marjelee for a trip to Sarasota, Florida, where the old packet, the last vestige of its era, will be used as a floating restaurant and museum. The former Gordon C. Greene and Sarah Lee, the packet once served as a floating restaurant here. The trip to its destination began last night and will take approximately 13 days and will include a route across part of the Gulf of Mexico. “The movie ‘The Kentuckian’ was filmed in 1955 during the boat’s sojourn at Owensboro. She was towed up the Green for the filming and there are many scenes of her, including one in which Burt Lancaster has to throw his son and their old hound dog overboard from the top deck and then dive into the river himself to escape some gun toting scoundrels. The movie is available on video. She also appears frequently in Band of Angels, which also is on video. “So, this confirms that the boat was not renamed River Queen until she became a tourist attraction at Bradenton, Fla. I have postcards and a color brochure with great photos of her there, but, alas, she was a financial failure and her next stop was New Orleans, then to Hannibal and finally to St. Louis. She retained the River Queen name to the end in 1967.” Keith (Editor’s note: When errors are made in recording history, it is good when the facts come out and the record is set straight. Keith is a dedicated historian, who maintains a river room of his own in his home. I thank him for bringing this to our attention.) Re: Needs Pictures How could I possibly get pictures of this accident? This is the boat that my friend is on. He text messaged me and told me about it. It involved the Magnolia Marine, Mv. Kelly Lee. I sure hope you can help me get pictures. I’ll be waiting for your response. Mary Schmidt mary1996@sbcglobal.net (Editor’s note: Is there any help out there?)  Boat Photo Center
This week we’ve limited the Photo Center to 11 pictures, including two “spooky night” shots of the Wakerobin by Jeffrey L. Yates. Jeff Also sent three distinctively different views of the Jay Bludworth. The Natchez made a good photographic target during race day at Cincinnati with the Belle of Cincinnati. R. Dale Flick got some good ones of the Natchez and sent us five. John Miller came through with another oldie but a goodie, the FBL line boats, the Franklin D. Roosevelt, taken in 1942. Recipe Box
Do you have a good recipe you’d like to share? Submit your recipes here! The Book Beat
Too frequently readers ignore good river novels, despite the fact that they are filled with factual material about boats and places. Two such books are: “Let The Lower Lights Be Burning”, which is a really good historical novel about the life and times at Warsaw, Ill., back when church boats plied the river. Warsaw is the real name of the book’s Spunky Point. Residents of Spunky Point loved to sing about those “fainting, struggling seamen” and they never doubted it was the Des Moines Rapids that made them that way. This light-hearted story about Mississippi River life in the 1870s features a boatload of memorable characters and a number of notable riverboats as well. Written by Dean Gabbert, author of the popular “The Log of The Jessie Bill”, the book tells the story of happenings in Spunky Point, Ill. (Warsaw). Divided into Topsiders and Wetbutts, the characters have some interesting names and interesting, often terrifying experiences. All boat names are genuine.  
Let The Lower Lights Be Burning - by Dean Gabbert234 pages. Soft cover. Historic fiction. Let The Lower Lights Be Burning takes its name from an American hymn. Residents of Spunky Point loved to sing about those “fainting, struggling seamen” and they never doubted it was the Des Moines Rapids that made them that way. This light-hearted story about Mississippi River life in the 1870s features a boatload of memorable characters and a number of notable riverboats as well. Written by the author of the popular The Log of The Jessie Bill, the book tells the story of happenings in Spunky Point, Ill. (Warsaw, Ill.) Divided into Topsiders and Wetbutts, the characters have some interesting names and interesting, often terrifying experiences. Usually same-day shipping! List Price: $9.95  Our Price: $5.00 You Save: $4.95 (49.7%) Second on our list is the new “Delta Queen” the novel by Charles Bowen, author of more than two dozen nonfiction books. If you have never been on the Delta Queen, there is no better place to learn about the vessel and what it has to offer than in Bowen’s book. And you’ll get to read a good novel, too. The plot keeps you turning pages, while you learn about this beautiful boat and its cruise services. 
Delta Queen, a novel by Charles Bowen210 pages. Soft cover. Fiction. “Delta Queen” a novel by Charles Bowen. At first glance you may wonder about the price, but once into the book you find out that this romance is also contains a delightful description of the Delta Queen itself. If you can’t ride the DQ yourself, this book can take you on a most enjoyable cruise. It’s a double-edged sword, and as such, I recommend it for your library as a keeper. The plot involves a man who is trying to meet up again with his childhood sweetheart and secretly arranges for her to win a cruise aboard the Delta Queen. He is aboard, of course, and the plot thickens. The entire tale is interspersed with colorful descriptions of the famous old boat from her bow to her stern. Author Bowen is the author of more than two dozen nonfiction books. This book was inspired by a trip he and his wife, Pamela, took on the Delta Queen. It keeps you turning pages. Usually same-day shipping! Our Price: $19.95 The Gift Shop
Steamboat Clock & Barometer - The hinged porthole-style case is solid brass with a lacquered antique finish. It has quartz movement for convenience and accuracy and runs on one AA battery. The matching Steamboat Barometer has visible aneroid barometer movement, and the antique brass case is hinged so that the movement is accessible from the front.280522 Steamboat Quartz Clock $136.49 280722 Steamboat Barometer $146.99 Get More Visitors To Your Web Site - Join The U.S. Inland Waterways Site Ring!
This is a web ring owned by Little River Books. It is dedicated to those who work, rest, or play on the inland waterways of the United States. Owners of river-related commercial or private sites can apply to join, bringing together as many waterways related sites as possible. Sign up (FREE), put the code on your page, and watch your hits skyrocket! Let’s see if we can make this one of the biggest and best river site rings on the web. Benefit from other river sites’ traffic and gain new visitors. If you sell a river-related product on your site, this is the ring for you! (You must copy and past the site ring graphic onto your website as soon as your site is approved.) Check out the sites currently in the ring and their hit statistics as a direct result of being in the site ring. Tow Talkin'
February 6, 2006 By Kathy Flippo  Even though it has jumped from nearly 60 in the daytime to down in the teens at night, there is more ice in my deep freezer than on the river. Got lonesome for a towboat so I went to Camanche, Iowa, to feast my eyes on ARTCO’s “little kids” down at Determan’s dock and fleeting area at the foot of Beaver Slough. The Mv. White Angel was up on dry dock, and the Mvs. Saratoga, Trojan and Pixie Rose were all docked beside her. There are a lot of covered barges in the fleet too, but I couldn’t tell if they were MTs or loads because of the trees.
Working at the Clinton County Historical Society Museum here in Clinton for the past three weeks, seven days a week, three hours a day in the research library I have gleaned lots of old river traffic information. For instance, on July 21, 1955, the Mv. Joan E. went up through our railroad bridge with two barges of oil at 8:45 a.m. She was built in…to continue reading, click here. See you on the Web, Jack Little River Books jacksimpson@littleriverbooks.com Don't forget to visit our website! |
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