In This Newsletter:

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  Quote of the Week

"Ever stop to think, and forget to start again?"

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  A Personal Note From Jack

This week I will cut the personal note short due to the amount of material I have on hand that relates to last week's Personal Note. However, as I point out in "A Call for Comments" below, we have had good response from our eminent domain piece last week. Hanging in the wings for next week is a related article that I believe ties in directly with river operations and represents a "time bomb related to conservation easements" (as one reader points out). These can definitely be river-related, and they can represent a real rip off to those granting easements on their land for conservation purposes. So we will get to that next time.

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  A Call For Comments

Last week we called for comments on stories related to eminent domain. See responses below in the "Our Readers Write" section.

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  For Those Inclined To Pray

Join our Prayer Circle so that you can tap into the prayerful support of the circle members. Membership and prayer requests are open to everyone. The activity of the Prayer Circle is confined totally outside of our weekly newsletter. With the exception of this segment, all contact is made, ultimately, through jacksimpson@littleriverbooks.com. To learn about the prayer circle click here.

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  Newsletter News

I'm in hot water again -- I abused the name of the Mv. Robert Y. Love by listing it last week as the Robert V. Love. That was sheer carelessness. And me with an "Inland River Record" right at my fingertips!

International readers -- This week we received communications from Germany and South America. We know we have readers in other countries. It would be nice to know the names of other countries in which we have readers. (Our host used to provide those statistics and at that time we registered upwards of 45 countries.) We know we can include France and Canada for sure. Would readers around the globe be kind enough to send us a one-line email informing us of their whereabouts? We'd appreciate it.

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  Web Site News

Our web site visits have reached 12,000 per month repeatedly for three months. Newsletter subscriptions are just under 700, but total readership is obviously higher. If you are interested in placing banner ads on our web site, advertising in "Portal to the Waterways," or classified advertising in the newsletter, click here for more information.

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The Bitts and Bytes Archives

If you are a B&B reader but have never used our archives for research, we invite you to do so. There is a very good search tool on the site and finding material published in past issues is a snap. We also have some valuable river links on the site.

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  On The Waterfront

Elizabeth M Raised, Missing Crewman Found in Engine Room

The Mv. Elizabeth M was raised Friday (March 6) from the waters below Montgomery Locks and Dam on the Ohio River and the missing crewman, Rick Conklin, 40, of Crucible, Pa., was found.

The Elizabeth M and her six barges sank at the site January 9 after running into difficulty after having locked through. Four crewmen died, including Conklin.

River Salvage, Inc., raised the boat above the surface, beginning around 8:30 a.m. and utilizing large cranes to lift the boat to the surface before pumping out the water. Conklin's body was found in the engine room. On January 21 searches dived on the site and searched everywhere but in the galley and the engine room. Those spaces were blocked by debris, divers said at the time.

On hand Friday, in addition to members of Conklin's family, was George "Toby" Zappone, master of the ill-fated vessel.

Salvage and recovery efforts have been overseen by the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers and the U.S. Coast Guard. My mid-afternoon on Friday the vessel was towed to C&C Maintenance Co., where Beaver Falls firefighters worked for several hours to remove Conklin's body.

For the record, surviving crew are Zappone; Crucible; Jason Wilds, 26, Latrobe, Pa.; and John Thomas, Powhatan Point, Ohio.

Those who perished in the mishap include Conklin; Edward Crevda, 22, West Brownsville, Pa.; Tom Fisher, 24, Latrobe; and Scott Stewart, 26, Wheeling, W.Va.

The Elizabeth M is owned and operated by Campbell Transportation Co., Charleroi, Pa.

Legal action is pending as a result of the accident. The Coast Guard has completed a week-long hearing into the mishap but has yet to issue a report.

Merely for the record, we want to include here a Coast Guard photograph that appeared in "The Waterways Journal" shortly after the January 9 accident occurred. The photograph was taken by Petty Officer Tim Tharp.

We are also adding to the Photo Center five other Elizabeth M pictures, taken in late February by an unidentified worker on the dam.

Numerous stories related to the mishap can be found in recent B&B archives.

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  Crossing The Bar

B&B was notified Saturday (March 5) that Bill Evans, 62, Gulf Coast representative for "The Waterways Journal" for many years, died of cancer at his Mandeville, La., home that day. We offer our condolences to his wife, Betty.

According to Mrs. Evans, Bill's condition deteriorated fast on Tuesday (March 1) and Hospice staff were called in to help make him comfortable.

A memorial service was held at 4 p.m. today (Monday) at St. Timothy's United Methodist Church, Mandeville, La.

Memorial contributions can be made to the local Hospice organization, the American Cancer Society or the Seamen's Church Institute.

When Bill's condition was discovered last fall and he began extensive radiation and chemotherapy treatments, he opted to retire officially from "The Waterways Journal."

(Editor's note: As editor of the "Journal" I worked with Bill for many years. His was a tough job -- covering much of the Gulf Coast as both journalist, photographer and advertising sales representative. I could write reams, but I will say only that I have always admired his writing and photographic abilities, which he used skillfully and repeatedly as he reported breaking news events and on conferences over the years. -- Jack)

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  Our Readers Write

Comment on Eminent Domain

There's been some "trouble" brewing in Dubuque with the city of Dubuque's long range development plan for the Ice Harbor area. The long-term plan is for the Harbor to be "gentrified", for want of another term. That means that some of the long time Harbor residents, particularly businesses like Newt Marine Services, will eventually be forced to leave the harbor so that condos and upscale businesses (I guess) can be developed, especially on the south side of the harbor, which is generally commercial/industrial now and has been for many generations. Businesses are being allowed to remain but cannot enlarge or remodel their existing facilities to meet growth needs, which effectively forces them out of the harbor area.

Okay, I work for the museum and my passion is the William M. Black, definitely a piece of Missouri River History. We share the harbor with the U.S. Coast Guard (which, to no one's surprise, has NOT been asked to relocate), the Diamond Jo Casino, Dubuque River Rides, Newt Marine Service and several boats belonging to the museum and the National Audubon Society. Their boat is the Lilly Belle which becomes the Audubon Ark when it's on the river doing their educational programs.

For me it will be a sad day indeed if, or when, Newt Marine is forced to move from the harbor. I think part of the charm of the harbor and the river is to be able to see working marine services such as Newt's and even though there's some noise from time to time and even some "blue" language drifting over at times, I cannot think of a better place for a marine service than in a harbor where those of us infected with whatever bug it is that draws us can sit on the bank and watch the activities.

So I have to agree with you and your column in today's B&B about the practice of eminent domain. Some of these condemnations should never take place.

Roger Thiede

(Editor's note: We were not aware of the "trouble" brewing in Dubuque. As I was reading your letter, my thoughts turned to places like Boston and some of the old-time whaling ports. I thought "How sorry it would be if all of those places were robbed of their history by people who "want a better view" or developers who have no affection for riverfronts and/or history. One cannot very well locate marine companies out of reach of water. However, there is an important element that we must not overlook. Many marine businesses that are being threatened by "land grabs" today are operating companies. They are not just historic relics. The result of actions being taken against them will, in many cases, drive them out of business. This means lost jobs and lost income for the area. We welcome additional comment.)

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And There's More

Thank you for your comments. The issue of the importance of property rights needs to be talked about more than it has been. And the use of eminent domain can be a wrenching, terrible thing.

As a local gadfly I have long advocated that victims of takings should be rewarded at multiples of appraised values, such as treble damages, rather than to quibble and abuse over simply appraised values.

Victims should also be allowed attorneys fees regardless of who prevails. Common folk should be granted the services of a public defender, as long as we grant such services to common criminals.

These increased costs of taking would also serve to provide a check on government and result in better decision making in the events that lead up to the taking.

Please keep up your good work on the issue.

Don Evanson
Minnesota City, Minn.

Note: Don included quotes suitably related to our subject:

"Eternal vigilance is the price of liberty." -- Wendell Phillips

"The natural tendency of things is for government to gain ground and for liberty to yield." -- Thomas Jefferson

"Government's view of the economy could be summed up in a few short phrases: If it moves, tax it. If it keeps moving, regulate it. And if it stops moving, subsidize it." -- Ronald Reagan (1986)

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Name That Boat!

I am from Argentina (South America) and work for a barge company in Paraguay. This waterway is 3,440 kms long and looks pretty similar to the Mississippi many years ago. Many boats and barges were and have been coming from the U.S. for the last 10 years. I am interested in getting an old picture and former name of one of our boats (some actual pics attached).

The Tendotá is her name in Guaraní (language of Indians who lived in these lands many years ago) and means "the leader."

Any help will be appreciated.

Guillermo M. Luján
Argentina

(Editor's Note: Already we have a response from our boat expert, Dan Owen, who is the owner of the Boat Photo Museum, and who is ongoing editor of "Journal's" "Inland River Record.)

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He Named That Boat

Your Tendotá was built in 1969 by Marine Welding & Repair Works, Inc., Greenville, Miss., as the TRI-W. It was owned by Tri-W Towing Company, Inc., Greenville. The name was derived from initials of the last names of the three principals in its construction and ownership--W. M. "Bill" Williamson; B. E. "Bilbo" Williamson; and J. L. "Joe" Williams. The vessel was sold several times and wen through a series of name changes.

I was able to photograph the TRI-W when it was almost new, on October 7, 1969, upbound at Oakville, Mo., just south of St. Louis.

Here is a more detailed history:

TRI-W: Triple screw towboat, built 1969 by Marine Welding & Repair Works, Inc., Greenville, Miss. 148 x 45. Three General Motors 15-567BC diesels, 4800 hp. Originally TRI-W, owned by Tri-W Towing Co., Inc., Greenville, towed for Peavey Company, St. Louis. Sold 1979, renamed Robin Mott by Williamson Leasing Co., Inc., Greenville; operated by American Barge Co., Greenville, renamed Southern King January 1982. Sold to TPC Transportation Co., St. Louis. TPC stood for The Pillsbury Company and their trademark Pillsbury Doughboy was part of its stack logo. Sold October 1987 to East Side Barge Transportation, Inc., Belleville, Ill. Sold December 1989 to Naviera Chaco S.A., Ascuncion, Paragury, renamed Tendotá. I took this picture of her as the Robin Mott November 9, 1979, upbound at St. Louis.

Dan Owen
Boat Photo Museum
Maryville, Ill.

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Bush Visits Germany

President George Bush visited on February 23, 2005, the city of Mainz in Germany. Unfortunately, Mainz is situated on the border of the river Rhine where the river Main comes into the Rhine. The river Main is the connection, although the Danube is also an important waterway because it connects the North Sea (port of Rotterdam) via the Rhine, Main and Danube with the Black Sea.

Authorities blocked the river Rhine over a distance of 12 miles and the river Main over a distance of nine miles. So there was no traffic, upstream or downstream, allowed during that day.

Of course we have nothing here against George Bush, but due to his visit in Mainz, for security reasons the traffic on the whole river Rhine and river Main was fully blocked from around 07.00 hours until 18.00 hours. Although barge captains tried to pass the blockade in time, many barges had to wait in the blockade. The total costs for all barges waiting for George Bush is estimated on $650,000 dollars. So you can imagine that the popularity of George Bush among barge people here is almost nil.

In spite of protests of the barge organizations, the security people decided that all barges had to wait until George Bush was gone. This in addition to all of the troubles in and around the city itself. All traffic was stopped. People were not able to go to their work, etc.

My personal feeling is that, if such monstrous measures are necessary, it would be better to have such meetings in a low population area and not in an industrialized one.

Regards,

Gerrit Bedet

(Editor's note: Thank you for your comments. This goes on all across the United States, year in and year out. And we grumble, too.)

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  Boat Photo Center

We received an inquiry from Michael Cunningham recently about the Mv. Cahaba that went under the Old Demopolis, Ala., bridge on April 28, 1979. He recalled having seen the pictures but could not recall the details. So it gives us an opportunity to remind B&B readers that they can go to our Photo Center, search for Cahaba and find a really fine slide presentation of the entire incident. This slide presentation was such an attraction when it was first put on the Internet, the owner's site had to be closed down. Visit our Center and you will understand why.

The Photo Center this week includes six pictures of the Elizabeth M, one by Coast Guard Petty Officer Tim Tharp, and five taken from Montgomery Dam by an unidentified worker; the Herkules VI from Hape Kraus of Oberhausen, Germany; T. S. Kunsman from Jesse Lybarger; two pictures of the Tendotá, operating in South America, from Guillermo M. Luján of Argentina; and three pictures of the Tendotá under previous names: TRI-W, Robin Mott and Southern King from Dan Owen and the Boat Photo Center.

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  The Book Beat

The subject of this week's "Book Beat" is not a book at all but a nearly two-hour VHS video designed to bring back memories for retired pilots who have not held the sticks in their hands for years.

It carries a utilitarian title: "Between Locks 14 & 2 on the UMR Aboard The M/v Elizabeth Ann." The video features Capt. Pat Flippo, trip pilot, also now retired and living with the camera lady, Kathy Flippo in Clinton, Iowa. Kathy is author of the popular books "Beaver Island Remembered", "Back to Beaver Island", "Between The Saints: Louis and Paul" and now the Clinton area book "Between The River and the Rails: South Clinton". The latter is most appropriate now and should become a hot seller because the city of Clinton is attempting to designate the area about which the book is written as a being blighted so that the land can be utilized in a business development plot. Obviously, many residents are less than happy with that turn of events.

But back to the VHS tape: The video was taken over an Easter weekend aboard the Elizabeth Ann, built in 1958 by her owner, Missouri Barge Line, at Cape Girardeau. Originally she was a twin screw towboat, but she was rebuilt in 1962. Since then she has been a triple screw with GM 12-645-E2 diesels that were repowered in 1990 to 3,600 hp. She measures 152 by 34 feet and, at the time, carried a crew of 11.

Kathy makes no pretense at being a professional photographer. But those who have read her books can attest to the facts that she knows her river and towboats. Years of side-kicking for Capt. Pat have given her a vast knowledge of what makes riverboats and rivermen tick. She has ridden the boats many a year and may even have a few calluses from handling steering levers (the sticks). So we know she taped good stuff, despite being hampered by miserable weather, which, by the way, is frequently what boat crews are exposed to.

What we’re saying is that the film is not professionally produced. Nor is it professionally narrated. Kathy says she will not win any awards for video, but if you’re a retired pilot and would like a trip down memory lane, locking and "unlocking" on the Upper Mississippi, this video will do that for you. Kathy stood the after watch (midnight to six and one to six). That meant she was able to tape only in the afternoons. The weather was bad. She never saw any sun. (Just real times.) It rained steadily, hailed, sleeted and snowed. And there was one day of dense, shut-out fog.

"One thing you will see," says Kathy "is how long it takes to lock through a 600-foot lock when your tow is 1,170 feet long." Normally it would have been 1,127 feet long, but they were carrying an empty barge on each hip-17 altogether.

If you happen to be a neophyte about river things but want to know just how (tough) life on the river can be, this video can do it for you. If you’re looking for a fancy Hollywood production, this won’t! On the other hand, if you’re a retired riverman and have been cooling your heels away from the waterways for a long time, this video does a great job of documenting those time-consuming and challenging trips through the locks on the Upper Mississippi. It will make you feel as though you are actually there. One retired pilot with more than 50 years of experience felt this way about it:

"I enjoyed the tape because I am a pilot of many years and have made many trips on towboats over that stretch of the river.

"There is a saying about experienced pilots that goes as follows, ‘When an experienced pilot comes on watch and lays his hands on the steering levers, he becomes part of the boat and the boat becomes a part of him.’

"River piloting is 90 percent an instinct of feeling the tow and 10 percent knowledge of the river. When I watched ‘On board the M/V Elizabeth Ann with Capt. Pat Flippo’ by Cathy Flippo, my piloting instinct kicked in and I could actually feel the tow in it's movements. "That is mainly why I enjoyed the tape. It brought back memories." To the viewer, without piloting experience and knowledge of the river, the tape is simply a tale of river life and a travelogue of the Mississippi River between St. Louis and St. Paul." That pilot was Capt. Philip Ritchie, retired and living in St. Petersburg, Fla.

Our limited supply of tapes is down to five. So this special offer will be handled via phone or mail only. The price of the video (VHS only) is $15 plus the usual $5 S&H. Also, we will include a free 30-minute video "At the Water’s Edge" (VHS only), which is narrated by Nick Clooney and focuses on the 1999 Tall Stacks celebration at Cincinnati. It includes a presentation by the late John Hartford (and friends), a brief tour of the Delta Queen and Cincinnati riverbank activities, historic footage of 19th Century steamboat races, and more. Also to be included will be a free little Missouri River book called "Grab a Bush", which deals with river myths and tales, told by three elderly river rats.

To order by phone (using Visa or MasterCard only) call 314/921-4419 and ask for Jack. To order by mail, send $20 check or money order, payable to Little River Books, to J. R. Simpson & Associates, Inc., 2175 Huntington Dr., Florissant, MO 63033-1227.

So if you want to play the memory game and travel once again through those Upper Mississippi River locks, give us a call at 314/921-4419 any time between sunrise and 11 p.m. Monday through Saturday. - Jack

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  Tow Talkin'

March 7, 2005

By Kathy Flippo

If the Government Bridge between Rock Island, Illinois, and Davenport, Iowa, would hurry up and get its overhaul done, the river up here would be ready for towboats. The original open date is the 15th, but I hear they are going to try to get it done before then.

The Mv. Trojan was able to get through it last week with eight MTs, and the bridge had to open for her as she can't scoot under it like a retractable boat can. She's our local harbor tug.

Right now I am working on the City of Clinton Sesquicentennial. There are activities all year with the big to-do's in June. I've arranged with ARTCO/ADM to have one of their big line towboats here to tour the last weekend in June. Clinton was founded because of the river. Here is the narrowest navigable stretch, and since 1940 (when Lock and Dam 13 was finished) we have also claimed…If you wish to continue reading this column, click here.


See you on the Web,


Jack
Little River Books
jacksimpson@littleriverbooks.com
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