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December 12, 2005 -- Vol. 5 Issue 50 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:
Ever Wonder
Why didn’t Noah swat those two mosquitoes? A Personal Note From Jack
Will Casinos One Day All Be Land-locked?  From the time gaming organizations began their push to win approval for casinos on riverboats, I have believed that their ultimate goal was to establish land-based gambling establishments. I may not live long enough to see it, but I believe we are moving in that direction.
Because casino boats are now constructed in such a variety of structures and operate under different rules, it is hard to be specific. But in my neck of the woods, branching out from St. Louis, the idea was, at first, to require casino boats to cruise. This meant they had to meet Coast Guard regulations, undergo inspections, and have qualified boat crews. Now, as we all know, many of the boats are in moats – no crews necessary – and some are located upwards of 1,000 feet from the river. We must keep in mind that rivers and harbors are different from each other, too. There are river reaches where casino boats could (and some probably still do) operate safely. In St. Louis harbor, however, it is not so safe. Towboat traffic is heavy. We can understand why the Coast Guard did not (or does not) want gambling boats cruising around a busy harbor when towboats are attempting to run the bridges at St. Louis. For the same reason, attempts to build marinas in the harbor have been turned back. Due to continually changing rules, one boat after another, in one state or another, has been allowed to operate without qualified boat crews. If the boat’s in a moat, you don’t need one. At one point in Iowa, when it was decided that boats could operate while at the dock, it was still necessary to have a qualified crew aboard for safety reasons. Capt. Russell Surratt of Fort Madison, Iowa, wrote in the December 5 issue of “The Waterways Journal” to inform readers that Iowa has now decided that its gambling boats can operate dockside as in other states. So there is no need to spend money cruising. Therefore, they need no boat crews. That being the case, according to Capt. Surratt, the Coast Guard has put the casino boats under the jurisdiction of the Department of Natural Resources, which sees no necessity for requiring licensed people aboard. So, he says, the boat owners have decided to pull the licensed people off the boats. When the law required licensed crews on these boats, the crew underwent training for emergency response, which could include fire, high water and breakaways, and high wind, perhaps even man-overboard drills. But now, since the DNR is in control, all those things seem to be unnecessary, Capt. Surratt opines. The issue over safety concerns him. As a man who operated on western rivers, first as pilot then as master, for more than 20 years, he feels the Coast Guard has betrayed him. By coincidence, another letter dealing with safety also ran in the WJ’s December 5 issue. It was from Capt. Larry P. Gwin, a member of the Gulf Coast Maritime Association. It focused on the lack of vessel manning rules. He wrote of a captain who strived under difficult conditions to save the life of a deckhand, who had fallen off a barge. Capt. Gwin said the man should not have been working on deck alone. The captain had requested additional crewmen but did not get them. If boat crews sat around bars together and talked of life on the river, one of the most common subjects addressed surely would be the shortage of manpower on towboats. It is difficult to be specific because companies operate differently. Nevertheless, towboat companies are no different than other businesses when it comes to watching the bottom line. Reducing labor is one of the quickest ways to save money, although instances have occurred that indicate that may be shortsighted. Our nation is filled with companies busy reducing their labor force to improve the bottom line. To make people wait for service at a mall because there is not enough help is one thing. To reduce manpower on boats beyond a certain degree can, as Capt. Surratt points out, place people and vessels in harm’ way. He reminds us of a situation where one of the casino boats broke loose and floated down the river. More than once, as master of such a vessel, Capt. Surratt was called upon to start up the engines in order to hold the boat against the dock to keep it from breaking free. Now, without trained crews, no one is aboard that can handle the vessel in such emergencies. Just anyone can go to the pilothouse and start the boat. All of that training has gone for naught. Well, the gaming-boat operators are just about where they want to be. In St. Louis a very large gaming operation is building far up the bank from the Mississippi. Another yard or two and it would be in downtown St. Louis. In many areas, the boats no longer run, or the boats have been replaced by shore-side structures. They’ve got us just about where they want us. They are still campaigning to eliminate the loss-limits on gambling boats. And we predicted this years ago. Captains Surratt and Gwin are both right. But history does not seem to be on their side. Perhaps it will take a catastrophe to change things.  Web Site News
For Those Inclined To Pray
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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
Scrapped Casino Plans Bring Big Payout to Hillsboro, Mo. Isle of Capri Casinos, Inc., has settled for $14.35 million a breach-of-contract suit with Hillsboro, Mo., based on the company’s 2001 decision to scrap its plans to build a gambling and entertainment center near Kimmswick, Mo., which resides on the west bank of the Mississippi River. Hillsboro filed its suit in 2002. According to the “St. Louis Post-Dispatch”, Hillsboro’s suit was based on a 1993 agreement between the Jefferson County Commission and Isle of Capri’s predecessor, Lady Luck Kimmswick, Inc. A contract between the two interests called for the gambling entities to pay the county $350,000 a year. After Isle of Capri acquired the Lady Luck Gaming Corporation in 2000, the county said it was obligated to live up to the terms of the contract with the county. The case was set to go to trial next month, the “Post” said. Presiding county commissioner Mark Mertens , an opponent of gambling, called the settlement “a good stocking stuffer for the citizens of Jefferson County.” Corps Can Move Forward With Plans for Interpretive Center at Vicksburg After drafting its initial plans for a Corps of Engineers Interpretive Center at Vicksburg in 1992, the Corps has finally received money to move ahead with the project. Congress has appropriated to the Corps $51 million in the 2006 Energy and Water Appropriations Act, which includes up to $5 million for the Vicksburg museum. The President has signed the bill. The purpose of the museum is to depict the Corps’ projects.  One of the first actions to take place will be finishing plans to relocate the Mv. Mississippi from the Yazoo Diversion Canal to a permanent site on the museum grounds, Vicksburg District senior project manager Tommy Hengst to the Associated Press. This part of the museum display will actually allow visitors to board an actual towboat. The vessel, a former Corps flagship, has been moored in the Diversion Canal since its purchase by the city for $1 in 1995.
The Corps also plans to move the 100-year-old Iron Fairground Street bridge to a site around the old Levee Street Depot. Vicksburg is also the site of the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers Experiment Station, where huge models are constructed for use in evaluating water project construction plans. Low Water And Ice Hinder Mississippi Navigation Due to ice and low water, the U.S. Coast Guard last week issued a safety advisory for a 184-mile section of the Mississippi River from Granite City, Ill., to the confluence of the Ohio River. Northbound tows were limited to 30 barges. The limit on those heading south was 25. Some groundings were reported. The river stage on Friday was 2.5 feet below the preferred level of 12.5 feet. It was expected that the channel would drop another half a foot. A Corps spokesmen told the “St. Louis Post-Dispatch”, “We’re probably going to be in a low-water situation for the next few months.” Senate Committee Questions Requests Sent To FEMA By New Orleans Requests being sent go the Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) by New Orleans officials in the aftermath of Katrina are raising eyebrows. Sen. Susan Collins (R-Maine), is heading up the Senate Homeland Security and Governmental Affairs Committee investigation into the government’s response to Hurricane Katrina. She questions the need for golf carts, air conditioners and travel aid. Released documents show that Mayor Ray Nagin’s administration also asked for 100 laptop computers, 200 Crown Victoria police cruisers, 300 bullet-proof vests, 400 semi-automatic guns, 1,000 handcuffs and 2,000 uniforms for city police. They wanted 10 gas-powered golf carts. Later, City and state officials also requested a bus for Nagin and 20 employees to travel to Shreveport, La. The request included fuel, meals and lodging. It was denied. FEMA’s top coordinator in Louisiana said he thought the requests are “an indication of a misunderstanding of what FEMA is there to do.” Stay tuned! In another news release, the government reported on December 9 that hurricane-related claims for unemployment rose the preceding week to 599,700. Canal Barge Returns To New Orleans New Orleans-based Canal Barge Co, an inland marine transportation firm, announced it would resume full operations in the New Orleans area today (December 12.) The company has offices in downtown New Orleans and in Belle Chasse. During the hurricane, Canal’s staff worked out of temporary quarters in Houston, Texas, and Baton Rouge, reopening the New Orleans office on October 19. The company employs about 80 people in the New Orleans area. Valdez, Alaska Donates 60-Ton Travelift For Hurricane Recovery Residents of Valdez, Alaska, have donated a 60-ton Travelift to aid in recovering commercial and recreational vessels damaged in Hurricane Katrina. Plaquemines Parish, La., officials said such a lift would cost between $250,000 and $300,000 if they had to buy it. The idea for donating the Travelift emerged through the combined efforts of the Washington and Alaska Sea Grant programs, FEMA, the Pacific Coast Congress of Harbormasters (PCCH) and Valdez Port Director Alan Sorum. The Alaska Fishing Industry Relief Mission donated $20,000 toward transportation of the Travelift. The PCCH donated an additional $1,200. It is said that there are 3,000 commercial vessels and 40,000 recreational vessels still in need of salvage. The Coast Guard reports that it salvaged 206 commercial vessels. About 800 commercial vessels were salvage privately. Crossing The Bar
Hjalmar “Del” Breit, Jr., 88, a prominent naval architect and marine engineer, died October 30, 2005, in Mandeville, La. A native of Palmerton, Pa., he was a resident of New Orleans, La., 60 years, where he had moved during World War II to work in the design field of Higgins Marine. He was owner of Breit Engineering and Del Breit, Inc. 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 From Our Readers
Editor’s note: Though I seemed to have mislaid the email, I want to present here two inquiries she had pertaining to towboats. Anyone with answers can forward them to me and we will print them, hoping she will see the responses to her questions. First, the individual is interested in finding a towboat book that illustrates boats and includes a history of the boats. I could think of none. I am assuming, of course, that her interest is in a directory of some sort, and if that is the case, then publishing pictures of all the boats (considering the flux of the industry) would be all but impossible. Second, she is interested in finding a source for plastic model towboats of boats ranging from 10,000 hp. and above. The models she wants would be about a foot long. Again I was stumped for an answer. It seems to me that such models would have to come in kits. Anyone who knows of a source for either of these items (books and models) could be of service by informing us of same. advertisement 3/4
 Collectible Towboats / Barges / Models for sale. Custom design or choose from large list of inland waterway companies. American Towboater Logo Wear for sale includes T-Shirts, Sweatshirts, Golf Shirts and Hats. For info and price list, call 502-241-1118 (Fax No. 502-241-1976) or email cherokeebb@insightbb.com. Order now for the holidays. For closer look, check out web site: http://www.cherokeebarge.com.
Re: The Belle of St. Louis (Editor’s note: Recently, Capt. Phillip Ritchie of Florida was trying to track down the exact delivery date of the Belle of St. Louis. Once he got the information, he was able to provide the log he had prepared during trip and, subsequently, we published that log in B&B on November 28. During this information search, however, Dan Owen passed along the inquiry to boat historian Dave Massie, who provided (to Dan) the following about the Belle. We thought it would be interesting.) I went aboard the Belle of St. Louis at the Tall Stacks festival in 1992. She was a very elegant excursion boat. Here’s the dope I have on her.  Belle of St. Louis 973800-973801275 ft long, 65-ft. beam, 2000 passengers, Cat 3508 diesels, 1,550 hp. Built in 1991 by Leevac, Jennings, La., for Gateway Riverboat Cruises, St. Louis, Mo. Completely wired for conversion into a floating casino when built. Served at St. Louis. The Belle of St. Louis served as a “passport vessel” at the 1992 Tall Stacks Festival in Cincinnati, Ohio. (Note: When buying tickets to the Tall Stacks Festival, the patron was given a little “passport” booklet which allowed one to visit the vessels during certain periods of time, which was usually 6 a.m. to 8 a.m. You got your booklet stamped with the boat’s official Tall Stacks stamp. These little booklets, especially when stamped, have become high-value collector’s items.) Converted to a floating casino in 1993 for service at Tunica, Miss., and renamed President Casino III. Sold to the Greater Dubuque Riverboat Co., Dubuque, Iowa, October 1, 1995. Renamed Diamond Jo. Still in service 2005. Note: This handsome boat is designed to look like an old time side-wheeler but is actually two vessels. The passenger barge portion of the vessel (973800) has a registered length of 175.2 feet with a registered beam of 53 feet (overall 66 feet). The power unit (973801) has a registered length of 78.7 feet with a beam 53 feet (overall 66 feet). Draft-7 feet. The passenger unit as now rigged is allowed 1,390 passengers, and the power unit is allowed 150 passengers. The first Diamond Jo has had a most interesting career. She was originally built in 1985 by Offshore Shipbuilding, Palatka, Fla., for the Seaport Line, New York City. As built, she was a 125-foot-long diesel sidewheeler. When converted to the gaming trade, she was taken to a Gulf Coast yard, cut in half, and her sidewheels were replaced by two propellers. After being displaced by the larger Diamond Jo, she was taken to Leevac where she was completely rebuilt for the offshore gaming trade and renamed Diamond Royale. Later she was sold to SunCruz Casinos and renamed SunCruz VII. Her original name was Andrew Fletcher. She is currently laid up. Dave Massie (Editor’s final note: Dave has been kind enough to provide a supply of boat pictures from which we have selected six to share in the Boat Photo Center. Photo Center
 It was quickly pointed out last week that in the Photo Center we had inadvertently identified the Mv. Helen Lay as the Omar. The ID was corrected.
Photo contributions this week include: the Mv. Caleb Lay John Reynolds, City of Pittsburgh and Jeffboat, posted by Jesse Lybarger; the old Mv. Mississippi (now in retirement) by Dan Owen; a later picture of the Mississippi by Tom Waller; and two pictures of the Belle of St. Louis and one of its paddle box, two of the new and old Diamond Jo, the President Casino II and President, and another of the President Casino II, all posted by David Massie. 
Recipe Box
Do you have a good holiday recipe you’d like to share? Submit your recipes here! PECAN SNOWBALLS 1/2 cup butter-flavored shortening 1/2 cup real butter 4 Tbsp. granulated sugar 2 tsp. vanilla 2 tsp. rum (optional) 1 egg 2 cups chopped pecans 1 cup powdered sugar & 1 tsp. cinnamon (for rolling cookies in) Preheat oven to 325 degrees. Cream shortening, butter, and granulated sugar together in a bowl. Add vanilla, rum, egg, and pecans and mix well. (If cookie dough is a little dry, try adding another tablespoon of rum.) Form into 1-inch balls and place about 1 inch apart on a cookie sheet. Bake 35-40 minutes. Let cool a little bit. While cookies are still a little bit warm, toss them into the powdered sugar/cinnamon mixture. Cookies are too warm if sugar melts. Just toss again in sugar mixture. Yum! The Book Beat
 Our inventories are not large for most of the books we carry. In some categories we are now down to just a few. We will indicate on the web site where inventories are low. 
Rivers of Kentucky - by David and Lalie Dick265 pages plus bibliography. Hard cover. This is believed to be the first comprehensive study of the entire system of Kentucky's flowing streams. Gurney Norman says, “Rivers of Kentucky” is a treasure-trove of information and lore about this North American place called Kentucky. It is an atlas, a compendium, a guidebook and a story collection all rolled into one. This book is also about the people who live along the waterways, and it keeps you reading till the last page. The writings of this husband/wife team have a gentle touch that makes the book a pleasure to read, and it reflects their deep respect for the people of the Kentucky land. We recommend it highly. Usually same-day shipping! Our Price: $19.00 
The Gift Shop
Compass and clock chart weights — the perfect Christmas gift! An excellent company Christmas gift for employees! Each chart weight comes gift-boxed suitable for presentation purposes. Chart weights can be customized with names, company names, and logos for an extra charge. However, to do so requires that the customer call Jack at 314/921-4419 and make arrangements by phone. It cannot be done directly on the website.
>>> Get More Visitors To Your Website - 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 commercial and 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 add the site ring graphic and code onto your website.) Check out the sites currently in the ring and their hit statistics as a direct result of being in the site ring. Tow Talkin'
December 12, 2005 By Kathy Flippo  I’m going to have to find something else to do for the next few months. The towing season is over as of November 7th here on the Upper Mississippi River, at least up in these parts. Locks 27 and 26 work all winter because towing goes on all winter on the Illinois River. The boats try to keep a channel open and fight the ice. If they are a free-wheel boat, it is a bit easier ice fighting than with a Kort-nozzle boat. They also deal with ice in the locks, and that ain’t fun.
Ice can build up under the barges and glue you to the lock floor. And floating ice is a headache when you are making a double locking and trying to put the tow back together. It collects between the cuts and has to be shoved aside so the barges make a snug fit. Otherwise you get a tow 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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