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August 29, 2005 -- Vol. 5 Issue 35 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
"And the winner is…" A Personal Note From Jack
 Like many of you, I have kept my eyes glued to the television to follow the news of hurricane Katrina. Because national coverage is so complete, I will not be writing about the hurricane per se. However, I will be including some web sites provided by readers that can lead you to pictures and more details. Though I have been lagging behind on preparing this newsletter, on the day I really wanted to get into it, I was plagued by power outages. So I quit trying.
Among details you might not find in regular news reports are these related to river closings. Having visited with the Coast Guard Sunday morning, a senior manager of vessel operations reported that as of noon Sunday the lower Mississippi River was closed to all traffic from Natchez south to the mouth of the river. As of midnight Sunday night, the river was closed to all traffic from Mile 507 south. The Coast Guard had issued a new contact phone number (318-443-2565) and was granting vessel movements on a case by case basis. We also learned from the Coast Guard Sunday that the agency closed the Atchafalaya River, Black River south of Jonesville, the Red River from Alexandria south, and the Port Allen Alternate Route. Hurricanes fascinate me. My first experience with one was actually just the aftermath. We caught the edge of a hurricane at Narragansett Bay, Newport, R.I., when I was stationed there in the Navy. Because it occurred during the night, I didn’t even know it happened until I saw a huge barge on top of a dock the next morning. It was the first sighting of a barge in my entire life. I was awed by the power of the storm. And I have been awed ever since. Later, still in the early 50s, we were at sea with a hurricane off in the distance. Our radar picked up a blob moving through the center of the storm at an amazing pace. We learned later it was the S.S. United States. I have been somewhat troubled by stories about Missouri River spring releases. You will recall that in mid-August the U.S. Supreme Court ruled that the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers retains sole power in handling water releases on the Missouri and that navigation and flood control are its primary obligations. This ruling reiterated the court’s earlier ruling which was virtually identical. It reaffirmed the priority determinations listed in the Flood Control Act of 1944, keeping navigation and flood control at the head of the list. As was reported in "The Waterways Journal" and other publications at the time of the court’s ruling, the court added a footnote that irritated environmentalists. It said that if the Corps’ efforts to enhance wildlife interfered with its primary role of flood control and navigation, the Endangered Species Act would not apply. It is hard to count the times that I have pointed out in WJ editorials that as long as there is ambiguity and conflict between the ESA and the Flood Control Act, there will be water wars and litigation. The ESA specifically says that no government agency can carry out any project that will interfere with endangered species. The Flood Control Act assigns the Corps the role of perpetuating flood control and navigation. But the laws conflict. The U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service is assigned the role of aiding endangered species, and it keeps after the Corps on the issue. The court’s footnote, hopefully, will put an end to this. Though it may seem silly, I like to reduce conflicts to their lowest common denominator. Makes them easier to understand. If I read the footnote correctly, the Corps is legally off the hook and can proceed with its primary assignment. It’s like this: A guy has a bag of doughnuts, and another guy wants him to feed them to the monkeys at the zoo. The holder of the doughnuts says, "My first goal is to feed my children. Until I get them fed, I will not feed the monkeys." Until the Corps can accomplish its flood control and navigation assignments, it should not be "feeding the monkeys." Shortly after the news broke on the court’s ruling, another report came out about various stakeholders (nonfederal) not being able to agree on a water-release plan. Environmentalists gnashed their teeth. I did learn later that the Corps had invited their proposals. Then, still later on, I learned that the stakeholders group filed an appeal with the court and lost. The Corps has a default plan of its own that it can follow. What has also been bewildering is that the purpose of the spring rise is to help the pallid sturgeon. I am not the only one puzzled. The U.S. Geological Survey has pointed out that the reach of Missouri River where they are trying to help the sturgeon is not suited for sturgeon. So why are they still insisting? Go figure and stay tuned! Newsletter News
We have received several inquiries about "all the posts on monkey rudders." As it so happens, the posts were not in our newsletter. But we know that monkey rudders can be an interesting subject, so we were delighted when Dan Owen sent us pictures of boats that utilized them and an explanation of what they are. Web News
The following URLs have been sent to us for locating hurricane Katrina material on the Internet: Webcam looking at Algiers Point, there’s also another view looking at the Crescent City Connection Bridges. As might be expected, this site is out of service due to the hurricane. Port of New Orleans Webpage. Not too much information, but there are a handful of webcams on one of the subpages. This one was active today (Monday). Here is a more general site where hurricane pictures can be found. It was up and running Monday as well. 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. 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
Four Killed When Powerless Houseboat Struck By Tow Four passengers, adrift on the Ohio River after their 36-foot Gibson houseboat lost power, died August 25 when the vessel was struck by a tow before dawn near downtown Cincinnati. The lone survivor, David Claudill, 44, of Claremont County, Ohio, climbed up on the tow after his escape and went to the pilothouse to notify the operators. Early reports indicated that possibly three had been lost in the collision. Claudill suffered minor injuries and was taken to a hospital. The early report said all four passengers were below deck trying to restore power when the vessel was struck by an upbound coal tow being pushed by Marquette Transportation’s Titletown U.S.A. The survivor climbed through a portside window as the tow ripped the houseboat apart, according to Lt. Jerry Kirchoff of the U.S. Coast Guard. The towboat crew said they had felt no impact. The towboat and 14 barges continued pushing the wreckage about half a mile upriver before stopping. The Coast Guard established a safety zone between mile markers 465 and 468, closing the river to traffic to facilitate search and rescue. While the search had originally been for three victims, searchers ultimately found four on August 25, three unidentified and a fourth, Gary Betz, 48, of Cincinnati. The Coast Guard planned to have the houseboat wreckage placed upon a barge for inspection. A check of the Titletown U.S.A. confirmed that the vessel had a working radar and a full crew. As is standard procedure, the crew were questioned and given blood-alcohol tests. The houseboat passengers reportedly were on an overnight fishing trip on the houseboat, which reportedly had only one functional drive train. An acquaintance, Jean Davis, whose own boat had been docked near the houseboat for a time, said the owner had bought it at a pawnshop recently and that the twin-engine vessel had a bad transmission on one side. He was so excited about having the boat that he routinely took it out with only one good engine, the acquaintance said. VT Halter Marine Gets $190 Million Barge Contract The "Sun Herald:" reports out of Pascagoula, La., that VT Halter Marine has received a contract to build four more articulated tug barge units, valued at $190 million, for Crowley Maritime Corp. subsidiary Vessel Management Services Inc. Two double-hulled units ordered in June 2004 are to be delivered next year. The four under the new contract will be delivered between 2007 and 2008. Each unit includes an ocean-going tug and a 185,000-barrel barge. Mississippi River Locks 27 Auxiliary Chamber To Close (first) From October 1 to November 27, the St. Louis Engineer District will close the 600-foot auxiliary chamber at Locks 27 on the Upper Mississippi River for major repairs. The project will include rehabilitation of the lift-gate machinery and counterweights. Then, following a one-month break, the agency will close the 1,200-foot chamber from January 3, 2006, to March 1, 2006, for the same purpose. The Corps reminded that while the auxiliary lock will be open during the closure of the main lock, the smaller lock does not have tow-haulage equipment, so towboats intending to double lock will have to arrange for pull-boat assistance. Laid-Off Northrup Workers Should Have No Trouble Finding Jobs In recent weeks it has been reported that, due to a decline in ship orders from the U.S. Navy, Northrup Grumman Corp’s Gulf Coast shipyards are tightening up their workforce and may be laying off some 2,000 employees. A Greater New Orleans Inc. survey of Gulf Coast shipyards in July indicates that five of them will create more than 3,200 jobs through next year. Shipyards surveyed included: Bollinger, Conrad Industries Inc. of Morgan City, Textron Land & Marine Systems in eastern New Orleans and Slidell, Trinity Marine in Madisonville, and Trinity Yachts in New Orleans. Dredge Sinks On Ouachita/Black River "The Waterways Journal" reports that the dredge Tulsa sank on the Ouachita/Black River August 22 and that the Coast Guard is investigating the spill of 840 gallons of diesel fuel that resulted from the sinking. Corps Recommends 12-Foot Channel For Arkansas River For details of the Corps’ recommendation to dredge the Arkansas River channel to 12 feet, go to the August 29 issue of "The Waterways Journal." The recommendation is part of a three-part plan to improve navigation and flood control on the McClellan-Kerr Arkansas River Navigation System. Total project cost is estimated at $166.4 million. 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 Recipe Box
If you are a towboat cook, home chef, backyard barbecuer, tailgater, or know anybody who is, please pass the word along to submit recipes!
CHICKEN CAESAR SALAD 1 head of romaine lettuce 1 head of red leaf lettuce Creamy Caesar dressing 1/4 c. parmesan cheese bacon bits (optional) 1 pound of skinless, boneless chicken breasts, chopped into chunks 2 cloves minced garlic 2 Tbsp. olive oil salt & pepper Mrs. Dash table blend spice 1 tsp. chopped or dried parsley Mix salad greens together in a big bowl. Add parmesan cheese and bacon bits (optional). Toss with Caesar dressing. Over medium heat, sauté chicken chunks and minced garlic in olive oil. Add salt, pepper, and Mrs. Dash to taste. Cover for about 5 minutes. Stir the chicken to coat evenly. Do not overcook or chicken will get tough. Using a slotted spoon, put sautéed chicken over Caesar salad. Sprinkle with a bit more parmesan. Serve while hot with a chunk of crusty bread. Our Readers Write
Re: St. Paul River Front The Delta Queen was a no-show last Saturday, but I saw the towboat Virginia Ingram at Lambert Landing this afternoon (August 25), and today’s St. Paul-based Pioneer Press reports that the City of St. Paul and the Coast Guard have reached an agreement on a security plan for Lambert Landing. So the large passenger boats will be allowed to dock there again, and towboats too, apparently. The Mississippi Queen is scheduled to be here three times in October, and Lambert Landing is the only place in St. Paul—the only reasonably practical place, anyway—where she could dock. The MQ is too tall to fit under the Robert Street Bridge and, therefore, can’t go up to Harriet Island like the Delta Queen did last year, although the DQ didn’t dock at Harriet Island.  Mike MurphySt. Paul, Minn. (Editor’s note: Mike informed us that during the period when boats couldn’t use the landing, large boats and small boats alike were treated the same. Also, Mike sent a current picture of the James F. Neal taking on water at the landing.) Re: Job Search I am interested in finding work on a river boat (not passenger boat). Could anyone please send me information as to who to contact or where to look? Thank you. — Jake Re: New Book Projects I just finished a children’s book about "Clara Barton, Woman of Courage" and now working on "Gold in their Gunny Sacks" about the Alaskan Gold Rush. Hope to market them. I’m taking a cruise to Alaska the first week in September — will find more historical research in Skagway. I’ve a great file full of information about the waterways and a collection of the "Waterways Journals" — will come up with an idea one of these days. Ruthie Collier (Editor’s note: We ran a brief note from Ruth last week and mentioned some of her books, but we didn’t know what she is working on. Now we know. She lets no grass grow under her feet.) Re: Celebration Belle Thank you, David Massie, for the info on the two vessels. Ernie Wright Boat Photo Center
 If any of you camera bugs out there have additional pictures ready to contribute to the Photo Center, now is the time to do it. Our well just ran dry.
This week’s center includes nine pictures: the Eileen Bigelow from Tom Waller; Laura Tamble and Mary Scheel from Ron Richardson; and the Angela K, Bruce L. Hahn, Cooperative Mariner, David L. Fields, Amoco Missouri, and Larry Y. Strain from John Miller. Book Beat
 Steamboats on the Fox River - by D. C. Mitchell
209 pages. Heavily illustrated. Hard cover. A pictorial history of navigation in northeastern Wisconsin. This large tabletop book is a gold mine of pictures of steamboats and postcards, many in color. It is a must for steamboat history buffs. He is a "pack rat" and fortunately for us he has collected memorabilia of the Fox River. From this collection, now safely preserved between the covers of this book, we learn about the steamboats of the Fox River. Big and small, sleek and ugly, they are in this volume. An added pleasure is seeing the cities and villages of the era (1895-1920) through the medium of the "colored" postcard. These are all shown in profusion on a trip from "Portage to Green Bay." The U.S. Army Corps of Engineers’ work, which built the Fox River locks and dams that are still in use today, is chronicled in a chapter brimming with pictures. Our Price: $20.00 Nautical Gift Shop
 Boat Lamps - Den Haan Rotterdam, founded in Rotterdam, Holland, in 1922, began as a manufacturer of navigation and interior lighting for inland and seagoing vessels. All lamps, many of them replicas of old models, are hand made to commercial ship standards. Each lamp is made of solid brass with a polished and lacquered finish, giving it distinctive style and quality. Their lasting beauty and timeless design will enhance the decor of any home or ship’s cabin.8412E Bi-Color Light $214.00  7x28 Apache Binoculars - After the Gulf War, the U.S. Army decided that it wanted more "eyes" on the battlefield. The Army developed a specification called the "M-24" which was designed to  be a compact binocular that would fit in the pocket of a battle dress uniform (BDU) and be as rugged, have the same magnification, and nearly equal the optical performances of the bigger binoculars. The 7x28 Apache is built to the same tough standards as the M24 binoculars. The new M24 is the first "pocket-sized" military binocular ever issued on a large scale. The optional reticle (left view side) allows for easy range or distance estimation.BN29 7x28 Apache Military Binoculars with Reticle $339.99 
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 Tow Talkin'
August 29, 2005 By Kathy Flippo  Last Tuesday, starting about 2:15 in the afternoon, was certainly interesting for this old river rat.
It was then that the phone rang. It was the pilot on our harbor tug, the Mv. Trojan. "I’m in tow with the Andrea Leigh, and we are taking 12 MT coal barges up to Dubuque. Could you go up to the bridge and take our picture, because I’ve never shoved 12 barges before." Okay, I could do that. You’ve heard of Mighty Mouse, who can do anything and everything? We’ll, I decided that the Trojan and Andrea Leigh teamed together would be the Mighty Mice. (I have a weird sense of humor.) When he called they were just leaving the Camanche Fleet down at the foot of Beaver Island. I live across Beaver Slough from the head of the Island, so I knew it would take them awhile to get up here. Took some reading material along and headed for the dike above the railroad bridge. They were just coming around Deyo’s Beach, the "bend" in the Island, when I parked. When they got up to the Point (head of Beaver Island as it is called by us native Islanders), I was amazed to see that the bridge operator…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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