I love to go to the overlook and catch the towboats going up and down the Mississippi River. Usually, the containers are full going down but empty come back up. I just caught it at a good time yesterday evening around 7:00 as it was really bustling with traffic. As I drove around the loop of the overlook to park, one had just past by and another one was coming around the bend. Got a picture of the
Lloyd Murphy towboat heading back up north with it's empty containers. You could see another towboat,
O. H. Ingram, of the Ingram Barge Co., making it's turn in the river. I don't know why I am so fascinated by these towboats and really enjoy taking pictures as they pass my hometown of Vicksburg. At night, while laying in bed, I can hear the hum of the engines of these mighty towboats going up and down the river. A few years ago, my husband and I belonged to a deer camp north of Vicksburg called, Brown's Point and you had to take a ferry boat to get on Kings Point Island where it was located. As I deer hunted, I could hear the river traffic. One stand I really enjoyed hunting out of was a tripod stand and could see the river traffic going by. The best of both worlds!
Loyd Murphy passing through Vicksburg getting ready to make a turn in the bend.
Lloyd Murphy towboat on the left headed north and O.H. Ingram on the right pushing southward after the turn in the river bend.
O.H. Ingram giving it all it's got to get the turn in while loaded down with coal.
O. H. Ingram passing by the overlook. Note: Two men sitting at the front door of the towboat.
Getting ready to pass under the bridges as another barge to the far right is headed north.
Ameristar Casino parking lot is on the left.
A very wide load!
Hey, wait for me!
Just as it cleared the bridges a small boat appeared and I could hear the engines shutting back. The small boat most likely will have groceries items, etc., for the towboat that called ahead to have it delivered. Years ago, my brother used to work for
ERGON as manager of the store that supplied towboats as they approach the city.
6 comments:
Nice pics of the river and the traffic, I can just imagine how the people of the Mississippi towns use to be when the river boats came down the river, blowing their steam whistles.
Thanks BubbaBrown...I will be glad when they get the paddle wheel boats back in service. I heard they will be making stops here in V'Burg! I miss the Mississippi, American and Delta Queens docking at the riverfront with their calliope music playing. This is suppose to be a new paddle wheel that will be put in service before long. Will take pictures and post here when it happens! Appreciate your visit and come again!
Having been around tug boats most of my life - my late Dad was a tugboat engineer - I admire the skill these fellows exhibit. As you are probably aware, when traveling with the current, they have to exceed by at least 3 knots, the flow of current, in order for the rudders to have any effect in steering!
You really have to know what you are doing on the river...I guess that is why I admire the riverboat pilots so much! You have to respect the river! I guess I have been around them most of my life also living here. Just never appreciated it more until now. Busy with raising kids, jobs and life in general. When you slow down that's when you began to take it all in and enjoy what is left. Thanks for coming by to visit Robert! :)
Thank you for posting this great story along with the pictures. As a river pilot, it's good to see some exposure of our industry other than a crash that public sees on the national news.
You are so welcome T.F. McCall and I checked out your site. Love the little tugboats!
Like I said, I admire riverboat pilots and you to a fantastic job moving goods up and down the Mighty Mississippi for all of us! Take care and come back soon! :)
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