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May 23, 2005 -- Vol. 5 Issue 21 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:
Headline Errors
Editor’s note: After 50 years of journalism, I still find that I enjoy reading headline errors (but not my own). I will never forget the time when an assistant editor in the women’s department of a daily newspaper where I worked pulled a genuine boner. She was editing for our use a story from the Associated Press about how a clothing designer had discontinued a certain style from his line of clothing. For a headline she wrote: “Creator Drops Skintight Pants.” Fortunately, we caught it immediately and made a change. At the same newspaper a fun-loving typesetter on a linotype machine decided to pull a joke by changing copy in an ad for frankfurters. As I was told, it got into the paper just as he wrote it. Instead of “skinless, tasty wieners” he had set “tasteless, skinny wieners.” As the story goes, he lost his job over it. Now to our version of Jay Leno’s “Tonight Show” headlines: “Local High School Drop Outs Cut in Half” A Personal Note From Jack
 This comment section, though based on a maritime subject, will be a complete change of pace. While browsing through offerings at an area “Leftovers” store, where I had gone to donate a variety of things, I discovered a bin filled with patches. Intrigued, I pawed through the piles of new but “abandoned” patches and discovered what I thought to be (for me at least) some unique patches more than six inches wide and three inches deep. On it were the words: Zerstörer Rommel, a picture of a German destroyer, and the designation D-187. My first impression was that it had to be referring to a ship named after the famed German Field Marshall Erwin Rommel, appropriately nicknamed “Desert Fox” for his fighting tactics with the panzers in the Afrika Korps in 1941. Rommel, born November 15, 1891, died on October 14, 1944, reportedly as a suicide. As history explains it, he was forced to commit suicide. He virtually gave the British fits with his unconventional war tactics, nearly all of which he refused to share with his superiors. Reports have it that he simply went about his business of war and reported to his superiors later. He felt they did not understand tank warfare anyway.  I have only one dozen of these mint-condition patches, so I will sell them via this letter for $5 each, including S&H. The patch is very nicely done on black material with a gold embroidered ship (4.5 inches long) and lettering (the same) in capital letters 5/8ths of an inch deep.
While the patch may not interest towboat fans, I’m sure it will be of interest to World War II vets who are, perhaps, more familiar with Rommel’s history. For those interested in ships world wide, and particularly war ships, you can use the key words “Zerstörer Rommel D-187” on Google and find all kinds of material on this ship. One of the first things you will find is the question asking whether you meant to use the word Zerstöerer with an e. But upon further reading of the three paragraphs on the page, you will discover that developers of the site use the name without the “e”. Both the second and third graphs of the page refer specifically to this ship and include the D-187. Click on the bottom link and it will take you to a page that provides an opportunity to click on “German Ships.” Then you can insert the specific name and find all kinds of material. Further, by using the key words “Rommel” and or “Desert Fox” you can uncover interesting histories of Rommel’s military career and the German Panzer Division. Finally, it was my thinking that the Zerstörer Rommel D-187 was a World War II vessel, but that is not the case. From my quick scanning of the massive amount of material, I learned that it was a “destroyer” or “battleship” and the word destroyer was not used until years after WWII. As far as I could determine, this vessel was still operating in the mid 1990s. The patches are in mint condition. The small supply I have will be offered first in the newsletter, not on our web site. Interested buyers can send a $5 check or money order to Little River Books, 2175 Huntington Dr., Florissant, MO 63033-1227 or phone 314/921-4419 with Visa or MasterCard. One of them will end up being sewn to my “festival” vest, which bears maritime buttons and patches of all sorts. For Those Inclined To Pray
 Because I concluded that the procedures I had set up to allow people to join our Prayer Circle and submit prayer requests were obstacles to participation, I have modified the steps. If you visit the Prayer Circle link at www.littleriverbooks.com, you will find that those who sign up are completely anonymous. We do not ask for first names any longer nor states of residence. A visit to the link will explain our purpose. 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 sending 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. Web Site News
 We have always had plans to publish a cook book containing recipes found in our web-site River Recipes section, but we will be as old as Methuselah (an ancestor of Noah held to live 969 years) before it gets done if we don’t start hearing from some of you towboat cooks out there. It could be that we have made the site too difficult to get to. Anyway, we have always invited recipes from contributors and asked that they indicate if it’s okay for us to use their recipe along with their name (and boat if they work on one) in the cook book to be.  If you are a towboat cook, home chef, backyard barbecuer, tailgater, or know anybody who is, please pass the word along to submit recipes to www.littleriverbooks.com where they can go to “Other Services” on the menu. This site is nicely designed and easy to explore. It also provides an easy way to contribute recipes. Keep in mind that towboat crews can number from a few to a dozen or more.
We won’t start “inking” up the presses, but we will look for the day when our River Recipe section is bulging, so we can get at publishing the book. Your assistance in this quest is certainly to be appreciated. - Jack Web Site New Continued In addition to the River Recipe section, have lots of other materials to tickle your fancy. Among them we would list the Cartoon of the Day, free classifieds, our Gift Shop filled with lots of Weems & Plath nautical items, Headline News for the shipping industry, a message board, Prayer Circle, publishing services, riverboat cruises, and our Site Ring, U.S. Inland Waterways. You can even read Kathy Flippo’s “Tow Talkin’” column. But two of those are items I would like to call specific attention to: Riverboat Cruises is a section where operators of cruise boats can insert their public relations contact information about the cruises they offer. It’s fr^e of course. So if any B&B readers know boat operators, let them know that they can have their data listed in our Riverboat Cruises section for nary a pence. The other section covers publishing services, and I ask that you look for that in the Book Beat section of this letter. Advertising
Your classified ad can go in this space for $10 for one week, $20 for two weeks, $25 for three weeks, and $30 for four weeks. For details click here. On The Waterfront
Appeals Court Rejects Limited Liability Ruling In 1998 Accident On May 19 the “St. Louis Post-Dispatch” reported that a federal appeals court has rejected a limited liability ruling related to a 1998 accident involving a barge and the President Casino on the Admiral on the St. Louis riverfront. It was ruled by District Judge Stephen Limbaugh of St. Louis in June 2003 that the former owner of the towboat Anne Holly and the Winterville Marine Services - the Mississippi-based supplier of the crew - under marine law together were liable for no more than $2.2 million, or the court-determined value of the towboat. It was this portion of Judge Limbaugh’s ruling that the appeals court rejected, leaving intact the rest of his findings. According to the “Post’s” report (and “The Waterways Journal” at the time of the incident), the Anne Holly was upbound under Eads Bridge with a 14-barge tow when it struck a bridge pier, breaking up the tow. Three of the barges hit the President Casino. All of the people aboard the Admiral (about 2,300) were rescued, while the Anne Holly’s pilot, John O. Johnson, held the boat in place. About 70 were injured. Johnson pleaded no contest in September 1998 and his license was suspended for two months. Judge Limbaugh ruled at a later date that the towboat’s one-time owner, (American Milling Co. of Cahokia), Winterville and Johnson bear 80 percent of the blame for the incident, and the casino owners bore the rest for failing to protect the site or move the Admiral after previous accidents at the site. The Admiral has since been moved upriver from Eads Bridge and is well protected by cells. Can Your Company Help Bring The Barbara H (former Donald B) To Grafton? The planners of the Great Rivers Towboat Festival at Grafton, Ill., (June 25 and 26) are still trying to figure out how to get the sternwheel towboat Barbara H (former Donald B) to Grafton so it can be displayed during the festival. The vessel is owned and operated by a nonprofit group, but it still takes a free tow ride, or financial help to accomplish such a feat. If there are any company officials among our readers who believe they might be able to help solve the problem, contact Jack at 314/921-4419 and I will direct them to the right people. The committee has already found money to provide a supply of 2005 festival buttons, but there are other needs as well. Can you help? - Jack. Cost Of Cleaning Up Oil Spills Is Draining Federal Funds From WorkBoat.com and “The Waterways Journal” we have gleaned some notes from an Associated Press story about how federal oil-spill cleanup funds are going to be all gone by 2009. The bottom line is that authorities cannot always identify the source of a spill, and when they do, the company responsible may be bankrupt or unable to pay. Earlier this month the Coast Guard released a report that indicated that over the next five years, the fund will run an annual deficit of $200 million annually. For the fiscal year ending last September 30, clean-up costs ran $143 million, while the amount of money recovered in penalties, interest and other revenues was just $30 million. According to the Coast Guard, between 1995 and 2004, the agency has been able to collect only 27 percent of the removal and cleanup costs. During that time, interest levels have declined, and an oil tax used to fuel the fund has expired. (Editor’s note: Oil-spill cleanup cannot be ignored. Perhaps the oil tax should be reinstated. And what a wonderful place for environmental organizations to spend some of their millions!) Riverboat “Jail” Dedicated at Howard Steamboat Museum On Monday, May 16, an iron cage that was once used to house unruly passengers on the Belle of Louisville, was dedicated as an exhibit at the Howard Steamboat Museum in Jeffersonville, Ind. According to a Louisville, Ky., television report, the dedication ceremony took place during a meeting of the Louisville Propeller Club, held at the museum. The Propeller Club paid to have the cage cleaned and moved to the museum. The cage was on the vessel for decades, the television report said; it was removed in 1997 during repair work. About the size of a phone booth, it was used to confine as many as four people who had become unruly during harbor cruises. The “jail” was located close to one of the steamboat’s engines, according to Keith Norrington, the museum's steamboat exhibits curator, and the noise from the hissing steam and clanking mechanical parts “made it a rather scary place, and ‘prisoners’ often shaped up in a hurry.” The jail is now exhibited on a concrete slab outside behind the museum. (Editor’s note: What a nice new display for the 13th annual Arts, Crafts, Garden & Antique Fair “Here Comes The Showboat” at the museum on May 21 and 22! Keith has been a volunteer at the Howard Steamboat Museum since 1968. Thanks to him for upwards of 37 years of voluntary service. Many museum visitors and readers everywhere have benefited by his expertise.) President Issues Safe Boating Week 2005 Proclamation (Editor’s note: I could merely condense this as I do with many stories, but it contains good information, so why re-do it?) National Safe Boating Week, 2005 A Proclamation by the President of the United States of America Recreational boating has grown into one of our Nation's most popular pastimes, and as the summer approaches, millions of Americans will enjoy our country's beautiful waters. During National Safe Boating Week, we highlight our Nation's commitment to making recreational boating safer. The number of boating fatalities has decreased over the last decade. By promoting the use of appropriate safety measures, we can save more lives and further reduce the number of injuries caused by boating accidents. The U.S. Coast Guard and others recommend four guidelines for safe boating: wear properly fitted life jackets; get vessels checked for safety; never boat under the influence of alcohol or drugs; and get proper training about the safe operation of boats. By adhering to these simple suggestions, boaters can keep themselves and others safe as they enjoy our Nation's waterways. In recognition of the importance of safe boating practices, the Congress, by joint resolution approved June 4, 1958 (36 U.S.C. 131), as amended, has authorized and requested the President to proclaim annually the 7 day period prior to Memorial Day weekend as "National Safe Boating Week." Now, therefore, I, George W. Bush, President of the United States of America, do hereby proclaim May 21 through May 27, 2005, as National Safe Boating Week. I encourage the Governors of the 50 States and the Commonwealth of Puerto Rico, and officials of other areas subject to the jurisdiction of the United States, to join in observing this week. I also urge all Americans to learn more about safe boating practices, wear life jackets, take advantage of boating safety programs throughout the year, and always engage in proper and responsible conduct while on the water. In witness whereof, I have hereunto set my hand this nineteenth day of May, in the year of our Lord two thousand five, and of the Independence of the United States of America the two hundred and twenty ninth. George W. Bush Congressional Investigator Says Seaports Still Seen As Vulnerable To Attacks (Editor’s note: “The Baltimore Sun-Sentinel” published on May 15 that a congressional investigator, testifying before a Senate committee, says seaports are still vulnerable to attacks. Margaret Wrightson, the Government’s Accountability Office’s director of homeland security and justice issues, said that “Poor planning, communications lapses and a lack of clear goals are hampering efforts to make U.S. ports safer. She said the consequences could be in the billions of dollars.) My comment: I believe that for the rest of our lives we are going to be receiving and reading these reports. Our lives have been unalterably changed, to be sure. We cannot ignore potential terrorism and potential danger points. On the other hand, our perception about what danger points exist lead us into very extensive programs costing many more billions than any of us would like to know about. But isn’t danger in the eyes of the beholder? So the bottom line is that our lives are no longer as they once were. Life in America is no longer as it once was. As for the challenge of homeland security, I personally believe that our government (and business) faced unbelievably difficult problems as a result of 9/11, and have accomplished much since that incident. Maybe not enough, but MUCH! While we might have done more, we are still in the dawning in the war on terrorism. We have problems we haven’t even discovered yet. So perhaps we need to cut some slack for those who are trying hard to protect us. A lash with the Ann Lander’s wet noodle to those who may be neglecting their jobs. Senate Committee Chairman ‘Proposes’ Trust Fund For Port Security Improvements Sen Ted Stevens (R-Alaska), chairman of the Senate Commerce Science and Transportation Committee, may propose officially that a port-security trust fund be created to finance port security improvements. Improvements would be financed through fees assessed on importers. Stevens said that the cost of securing security releases for key port officials is a major factor in flowed information sharing between agencies. He said an aviation trust fund is paid for by fees on air cargo. “I am thinking seriously about asking this committee to create a trust fund for port security,” he said. “There is no question the system needs more money.” (As an aside, it has been reported that imports are “choking” the port of Los Angeles.) While sharing information at ports has improved, the General Accounting Office found that of the 359 nonfederal officials who need security clearances because they are members of maritime security committees recently established by the Coast Guard, only 28 had submitted (by February) the paperwork required for background checks. This is more than four months after the Coast Guard had developed the list. Steven’s suggested proposal came after the Government Accountability Office (see previous story on seaport vulnerability) released a report saying that lack of security clearance delays are a major barrier to information sharing about vulnerabilities and Coast Guard generated information on port security is classified. Officials from the American Association of Port Authorities lukewarm on the proposal, saying that the nation’s 300 ports already pay various local fees. The president of the World Shipping Council said, “If there are specific things that the government needs to assess a fee on for enhanced security, I think shippers would look at that.” (Editor’s note: Notice that the trust fund was first reported as a suggestion by Stevens. Later the story said he was seriously considering asking the committee to create it. I take it that some committee member has put together legislation to make it happen.) Jantran Buys, Renames City of Beaumont “The Waterways Journal” reported this week that Jantran, Inc., Rosedale, Miss., has purchased the City of Beaumont, a 5,000 hp. towboat, from Kirby Inland Marine, Houston, and renamed it Leland Speakes, one of the original companies founding board members. The retractable pilothouse vessel will be used on the Arkansas Waterway. In an unrelated marine development, Memco Barge Company refurbished the Mary Scheel and showed it off at St. Louis last week. advertisement
The River School - Deck and engineer licenses, radar observer, tankerman, fire and water safety courses, video programs. Travel classes in convenient locations. (800) 238-7113 www.riverschool.com Our Readers Write
Re: Another New Web Site Waxler Towing also has a web site at www.waxler.com. They have a video clip of a brand new tank barge sliding down the marine way and other interesting things as well. John Miller Boat Photo Center
 We have another nice selection of pictures for you this week. They include: Charlotte and Debi Sharp from Barry Griffith; three pictures of the Delta Queen, taken by J. Cecil Smith of Brandenburg, Ky., and posted by Ron Richardson; the Forward, George C. Foster, Joe T, Kimberley, Leo D. Guttman, and Martha Denton from Brent Maletic; Grandma Gert and Loyd C. Beesecker from John Miller; and Rowena from Tom Waller. We can now use more pictures if readers have some to contribute. Getting another couple dozen this week would put us in good shape for about three weeks. (Editor’s note: There have been some questions about picture size in Photo Center. The matter is more complicated than it would seem. A review of statistics related to our web site reveals that some site visitors are still using very old browser versions. The larger our pictures are, the more difficult it is for those with older systems to open the files. We want to keep it as simple as possible for everyone to enjoy the Photo Center contents. Some pictures, for various reasons, may be used in a larger format, but normally pictures of just boats are not.) Advertisement
I have a 35 mm Nikon F2 in mint condition and lots of other goodies for a combined price of $750. The only lens is a 52 mm Nikormat macro (and extender ring) that allows for shooting relatively normal pictures (no telephoto zoom or wide angle) that allows focusing down to about 2 inches. Other accessories include horsehide camera bag (large boxy type), and various extras too numerous to describe. I will not break up the package. Anyone interested can contact me by calling 314/921-4419 and ask for Jack, or via email at jacksimpson@littleriverbooks.com. Book Beat
How To Get Your Book Published (Get Some Fr^e Advice) Our Publishing Services section is, perhaps, a little obscure. It is simple enough to find if you are interested in publishing a book, but to get to it one has to visit the “Other Services” link on the menu. The same is really true of many of our services. But the point is, I help writers design and self-publish books. It’s just that simple. Unless you already have a publisher willing to put up his hard cold cash to publish for you, you will have to find another way. There are many ways, some unscrupulous, to separate you from your money and your book. I can explain these booby traps and discuss your ideas fr^e, but it has to be on your nickel. The best tip I can give you is that you should stick to nonfiction if you want to sell books to the river industry and boat watchers. Beyond that, if you have good information to pass along and are willing to be involved in the marketing of your book, you can successfully publish a book, get virtually all of the books and keep virtually all of the profit. Call 314/921-4419 between 9 a.m. and 9 p.m. and ask for Jack. Nautical Gift Shop
 Miniature towboat models for the river enthusiast! These little tows include six barges, a red and green buoy, and towboat and come in a Cherokee Barge & Boat drawstring bag for storage. Makes a great gift!
 American Towboater Caps - These high quality canvas caps are adjustable to all sizes.  Weems & Plath Binoculars - Since 1928, navigators have relied on the Weems & Plath name for safe passage. These rugged all-weather binoculars are hermetically sealed and nitrogen purged for true waterproof and fog proof performance. Navy One and Apache optics are extremely sharp and bright. By using high purity index lenses and prisms, aligned to perfection, the best possible image quality is achieved. Exclusive SPARC (Stimulated Penetration Anti-Reflection Coatings) optics eliminate internal glare and ghost images resulting in very high light transmission at night or in low light. The anti-corrosive, lightweight aluminum body will pass the military specification drop/shock test from 6 feet, and withstand a vibration test equal to 20 gravities of force. Extreme temperature resistance and waterproofing make the Navy One and Apache perfect for marine use and other tough outdoor activities. All Navy One and Apache binoculars have a five-year limited factory warranty against defects, fogging, or leakage.
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. Little River Books is an authorized dealer of Weems & Plath. Tow Talkin'
May 23, 2005 By Kathy Flippo All towboats come with a laundry room, and each crew member is responsible for his own laundry. This is not to say that each crew member has so much as a clue about how to DO  laundry! Laundry chores are something that are done on your six hours off watch, so the facility is used 24 hours a day to accommodate everyone. It probably wouldn’t be used 24/7 if the crew had taken “Laundry 101.” I can’t begin to tell you how many times I’ve taken a load down to do and find a strange load already in the washer, all done and waiting to be tossed in the drier.
“Load” is the figment of the imagination. I have found one pair of blue jeans constituting a “load.” Being a nice person, I open the drier and find I have to unload it before I can put someone’s jeans in to dry. And what do I find in the drier? A lonesome sweatshirt! Haven’t these guys ever taken Laundry 101 and found out that& 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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