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July 10, 2006 -- Vol. 6 Issue 27 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
“Don’t look a gift horse in the mouth,” — good advice, probably from the same person (but we don’t know) who said, “Don’t bite the hand that feeds you.” Gander at our Book Beat offer for the soon-to-be-released “$elf-Publish for Profit (by avoiding booby traps)”. Written by your B&B editor, it can provide financially beneficial advice about the book-publishing business. 
Editorial Comment From Jack
 I was reminded recently by an email from author Byron Rozier of Salem, Ark., of what many of us consider valuable, worthwhile memories, which surely provide as much joy in life as watching television or movies.
Two men whom I have known for decades met for the first time at my book table during the Great Rivers Towboat Festival in Grafton, Ill., June 24 and 25. One was Byron. The other was Charles Lehman of Crestwood, Ky. Both have vast river experience. The two differ in how they got that experience. Charles began on the river by serving the company that preceded American Commercial Barge Line. He worked his way up through the ranks to the pilothouse and eventually became an executive with ACBL. Byron was, if I can say it gently, all over the place with his river work. While Charles remained with ACBL throughout his career, Byron worked on many boats and for many companies. All good solid river experience that gave these two much to talk about.  This kind of experience is why many rivermen enjoy going to Grafton. They hobnob with old friends and meet new ones. The time they spend together is precious and brings to recall experiences that they treasure. I am also reminded of a poem in my book “If Ships Could Talk.” The title is “When Men Grow Old.” And the line is: “What wondrous tales we’ll never see unfold if we forget to ask when men grow old.”
Now that I am “old” I can say without apology that the tales that can be shared by old people are worth the search. I have learned so much from them. We should never let those opportunities slip by. I am sorry to say I have missed a few important ones.  Back to Byron’s email. He gave me permission years ago to print anything he writes, unless of course it’s for the new book he is working on. His book about boats and how to equip them, “In Search of Moon River”, is available on our web site for the ridiculously low price of $4.50 plus S&H. It contains much that people should know if they are in the market for a boat and have never had one before. Cruising for an afternoon on any river is one thing. But to cruise for a week at a time or more and be prepared to utilize boat harbor facilities is something else. One’s boat must be equipped for it.
Byron’s email: “Read something about Captain Lehman in the WJ, but don’t remember what it was about. When I mentioned to him about one of my favorite old Captains, “Tangle-Eye Strobey”, he almost got a shock. Strobey was one of the original founders of the American Barge Lines, and they said he used to buy the groceries out of his own pocket. His boats were always great feeders. He always made the cooks bake an extra 25-pound ham on Sundays no matter what they fixed on the menu. His men could go in and carve on that big ham to make what ever size ham sandwich they wanted. His boat was the Tenaru River, and I spent many a day on it. Soon after I started working on the Tenaru River, I was elected to make the old fashioned ice cream every Sunday. It was a big churn, and it [the ice cream] usually lasted till way past Wednesday in the big walk-in refrigerator, right next to the ham. They didn’t worry about cold cuts on that boat, as they always had loads of extra fresh cooked meats and fish.” Unless I am different than most of those I write for, I think tales like that are worth more than a few wasted hours in front of a TV set. I was pleased to see these river rats get together. My first meeting with Charles was back in 1977 when the Water Resources Congress was meeting in St. Louis and he had risen to take the microphone to give one of the Coast Guard admirals hell. He sure kept us on our seats. The fact is that Charles knew more about the subject at hand than did the admiral. And that usually was (and is) the case. I met Byron years ago at Grafton, but had communicated with him earlier via email. He used to live in the Memphis area, and only in recent years moved to Arkansas, where he lives on a small farm, enjoys the critters, and works on his book (and farm). He is, as we call it, “in retirement.” I don’t want to give you the idea that he is a serious farmer. Anyway, Byron has hundreds of great tales to share in his forthcoming book. We’ll have to watch for it. We haven’t heard the working title yet. By the way, Capt. Lehman is working on a book as well. And you can bet it’s about the river. No long wait here! He is wrapping up final items and plans to go to press soon. I’d tell you more, but I haven’t asked permission. Yet, you should know it’s coming and that it is a book every river watcher and professional riverman will want and utilize.
For Those Inclined To Pray
 For those desiring prayer support for themselves or others, we invite you to join our Prayer Circle, which allows you to submit requests, thereby tapping into prayerful support of our 40 Circle members. There is power in prayer. Membership in the Circle and/or the submission of prayer requests is open to anyone and freë. Request lists are sent out via email, generally, on the day they are received. Come join us!
On The Waterfront
(Editor’s note: In the shifting of office equipment, installation of new programs and missing one week of B&B, there are some stories that will have been lost. I am including here a few that I think should be of interest to everyone.) CG Issues Automatic Identification Proposal Carlo J. Salzano, Washington correspondent for “The Waterways Journal,” reported this week that “The U.S. Coast Guard has available a draft programmatic environmental impact statement addressing the proposed implementation of the Nationwide Automatic Identification System (NAIS) project.” Implementation would involve installing a variety of communications equipment on towers at up to 450 sites at locations along 95,000 miles of coastline and inland waterways, as well as the use of selected remote platforms. The draft impact statement will be discussed at a public meeting August 9 at Coast Guard Headquarters, 2100 Second Street, S.W., Washington, D.C. 20593. The Department of Transportation is accepting comments through August 14. For information, contact Anita Allen at 202, 474-3292.
Corps Announces 44-Day Reduction in Missouri Navigation Season The Corps’ Northwestern Engineer District has announced that the navigation season on the Missouri River will be reduced by 44 days. That decision was reached after a water-storage check on July 1. It marks the third year running that the river’s navigation season has been shortened, the Corps said. The 44-day reduction means support for navigation will end October 8 at Sioux City, Iowa; October 10 at Omaha, Neb.; October 12 at Nebraska City, Neb.; October 14 at Kansas City, Mo.; and October 18th at the mouth of the river.
Coast Guard to Investigate Sinking The 1,000 hp. Mv. Charles B. Holman sank July 1 while working in the Great Rivers Marine Service fleeting operation on the lower Mississippi near Columbus, Ky. The cause of the accident is unknown. The Coast guard is investigating. The 56- by 24-foot Ingram Barge Company harbor boat is totally submerged but is outside the navigation channel along the right descending bank and marked by two white buoys. (Editor’s note: An extensive story about this near tragedy appears today in “The Waterways Journal” under the byline of Jeff L. Yates, along with a great picture of the fisherman within rock-throwing distance of the towboat. Actually it was only a few feet away.)
Stubborn Fishermen Experience Near Miss With Tow It seems strange that anyone in a smallcraft would refuse to get out of the way of an approaching tow, but two fishermen in a small jonboat did just that on June 29 when Pilot Shannon Hughes signaled a warning from the Mv. Nathan P Cenac. Hughes was attempting to enter the Ohio River with his tow, and…well the fishermen and their jonboat were anchored in the middle of the channel. Observers credit the pilot’s skill with preventing a tragedy. He maneuvered his tow in such a manner as to save them, though he got close enough to shout at them from the pilothouse. Despite all warnings, they had refused to move. Neither of the fishermen wore lifejackets. One was sitting on one. It was fortunate that no collision occurred because determining fault or degree of fault is no fast process, and it is believed by some that the operator of the boat would share some of the responsibility.
Crossing The Bar (As reported in “The Waterways Journal” Capt. Walter Blice, 94, master pilot for Union Barge Line 36 years, died June 22 in a Louisville, Ky., hospital. After retirement, Capt. Blice had worked as pilot on the Belle of Louisville, Delta Queen and Mississippi Queen. His wife of 68 years, Millie, and his son, Capt. Mike Blice, a pilot for Marathon Petroleum Company, survive.
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From Our Readers
Re: Great Rivers Towboat Festival Dang, I wanted to make that one. Got sick early last week and just didn’t have the energy to make it down there. Let me know if there are any more this year. Richard L. Kurtz (Editor’s note: It would a great service to readers if everyone who knew of an upcoming river festival in their area would post an email with us so we could begin a listing.)
Re: Great Rivers Towboat Festival Ahoy! I have been attending the festival for four years! This year had the perfect weather! I was disappointed only by the fact that I couldn’t locate the Gumbo, Jambalaya? The music was fantastic! The people were fantastic! Keeping in touch with the industry is fantastic! I love being with others who appreciate an industry that our country depends on! I celebrate the hard work and the dangerous nature of the work that keeps our waterways busy! I say goodbye every 21 days and it is not easy being left behind! My River Rat works for Illinois Marine Towing and is never home to attend the Festival, so it helps the month of June pass easier knowing that the festival will be held in the Great River Town of Grafton, Illinois! I love the Motor/Vessels! Saturday - I sat, listened to the music and watched a continuous parade of curiosity going on tour! It was nice to see the amount of interest the public has in this industry! Thanks Crews, Cooks, Captains, Pilots, and Engineers! Keep up the good work Presenters and Promoters of the Great Rivers Towboat Festival! Sherrie
Re: Coast Guard Licensing Rules My concern is new coast guard rules on medical issues. I see a lot of experienced pilots having trouble getting their license renewed when there is no need. There are few people over 50 that do not take some kind of medicine. If this is going to be the case and people’s lives are going to be destroyed, let’s take it a few levels higher — say into the Coast Guard, Navy Air Force, or even Mr. Bush. Let some of the top brass, who have spent their lives trying to make a decent living, wake up and find their jobs on the line. About stress, I guess the point I am trying to get across is that just because some people have to take pills, their lives should not be over. I am 54. At this [time] I am lucky I take no medicine. Please advise or help wake more pilots and com [companies?] up to this matter. It has gotten way out of hand. James Robertson
Re: The Nebraska City  Kathy Flippo’s column about seeing the Nebraska City reminded me that I, too, got a look at her one night last week. My daughter and I stopped down to the Dubuque River Walk after her softball game last Thursday night just to have a look around, and she was moored at Newt Marine Service’s home base in Ice Harbor. It’s not a great shot, but here it is. I tell you, this living on the river is great! I often take my lunch over to the riverfront, and a couple of times my wife has brought the kids down to meet me for lunch and have a small picnic on the river. The view of the Mississippi when you approach Dubuque from the south is magnificent. You come around the turn and head down the hill and see the city, the river wide open, the railroad and highway bridges. On alternating nights the Twilight might be tied up for the night. You can’t beat it.
Craig Nowack
Boat Photo Center
I must have frightened a few of you off. I received only a couple pictures in recent days. But the confusion over pictures and descriptions and lack of descriptions and who shot what was getting no better. Let me modify my previous message about submitting pictures to the Photo Center. When you address emails to “all”, I consider that means me, since I got it (duh). So if the date, location and all other pertinent information is there, I will post it. However, any email that clearly is a response to an email someone else sent to all and includes a boat picture, will be read and discarded. That should make it easier. If you want to get the message through to me still better, write “Jack, please Post” at the beginning of the text. Here are 11 photos for this week. They include the Nebraska City from Craig Nowack; Doug Roberts and Pat McBride from Barry Griffith; the Larry Tilley from Richardson and the Aliquippa, two of the SuperAmerica, two of the Elizabeth D, the Mathies and Wanda B, all from Eric M. Johnson. Click here to see the latest pictures.
Recipe Box
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The Book Beat
New Book on Publishing Just Weeks Away  “$elf-Publish for Profit” will be sent to the printers within 10 days. Delivery time, barring complications, is estimated to within 45 days. This book is a must if you are considering publishing a book for the first time. Even some people who have been published and think they know the ropes don’t always make money. The booby traps in the business are numerous, but most are created by authors who are unfamiliar with the industry and who sign contracts, unfortunately, that will ultimately benefit only the publisher or printer. Then, too, there are the shysters who are out to “clip” the unsuspecting novice. Believe me, it happens all the time!
Written by Jack Simpson, yours truly, and based on more than 50 years of journalism experience, including newspaper, magazine, publishing, photography and book authorship, this book reveals how to go about self-publishing. It also explains why, when not self-publishing, you must keep your eye on the bottom line and ask questions when you have been offered a contract. Will the arrangement really benefit you? To learn what an experienced writer, publisher, author and educator thinks about “$elf-Publish for Profit”, click here. Following is our reduced-price deal. If you are willing to buy in advance you can buy this $19.50 book for $14.50 plus S&H on our web site until the official release date. (Its advice could literally save you thousands of dollars.) After September 1 the price will be $19.50 plus S&H. As always, you can order via mail with a check to Little River Books at 2175 Huntington Dr., Florissant, MO 63033-1227, or via Mastercard or Visa by calling Jack at 314-921-4419. Even if you are not planning a book, “$elf-Publish for Profit” (by avoiding booby traps) will help you to understand why some people get published, why others don’t, and why beautiful books can end up in discount houses (remaindered) for greatly reduced prices. Release-date Price: $19.50 Advance Price: $14.50 more info
Spunky Point Is Really Warsaw, Ill.!  Did you know that Spunky Point is really Warsaw, Ill.? Dean Gabbert’s historic novel “Let The Lower Lights Be Burning” is based on newspaper records in the Warsaw area and relates factual happenings of the day. Warsaw: A river town, that went through the growing pains of the times. The Des Moines Rapids were a problem. Belligerent newspaper editors and wharf masters and other town officials were problems – at least they were to each other. There were some mean dudes. In addition to giving you a lot of good information about how life was in a river town back then, Dean weaves in a neat little fictional romance. It makes for great reading. The historical data, boat names, et al, are true. Give this book a try. The $5 price on our web is just under half the $9.95 retail price. Can’t beat that for a bargain and a fun read. I’ve always thought Dean wrote in the style of Mark Twain. I know he did in “Log of the Jesse Bill”, which is no longer available.
List Price: $9.95 Our Price: $5.00
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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 (F-R-E-E), 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 web site as soon as your site is approved.) Chëck out the sites currently in the ring and their hit statistics as a dírect result of being in the site ring.
Tow Talkin'
July 10, 2006 By Kathy Flippo  Whew! I could have used 15 strong deckhands Saturday to help load and unload all the furniture from the 26-foot U-Haul truck. It was packed plumb full, no boxes, and didn’t include the deep freeze or fridge which went over earlier on pickup trucks. Over the years I’ve inherited enough antique furniture (and other stuff) to open a store. And none of it weighs less than my Suburban.
When I picked up the truck, the lady asked who was going to drive it. I said, “Me.” She looked at me like I was crazy. “It’s a diesel five on the floor.” She said. So? Big deal. I learned to drive back in the dark ages on a…to continue reading, click here. See you on the Web, Jack Little River Books jacksimpson@littleriverbooks.com Don't forget to visit our web site! |
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