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The
following is a short log of my trip on the m/v G L FURR. I would like to
thank Bruce Darst at AEP, Captain Dale Wallace, and the crew of the m/v
G. L. FURR for their hospitality.
10/28/05, time 1620 hrs, mile 317 Ohio River
Boarded the G L FURR at McGinnis Inc.
Here's the boss man himself in the jacket, Captain Dale Wallace
I ain't saying who the short bald headed dude is!
Shortly after I boarded we dropped down to the lower fleet and
McGinnis' fuel flat came along side to load off fuel to us.
We arrived at the Greenup locks (mile 341) at 2300 hrs. Shutout fog
caused us to tie off at the upper cells along side the m/v Marathon and
wait till it burn off the next morning.
10/20/05 At 1340 hrs we finally got our turn to lock through.
Finally headed South at 1445 hrs
Here's Bill Boyd handling the stern line.
10/30/05, Meldahl Locks (mile 436) got caught in fog again with the
m/v Marathon.
Finally started locking at 1010 hrs and headed South
at 1050 hrs
At mile 469 we are approaching Cincinnati, Ohio. A surprise visitor
from New Orleans is the excursion stern wheeler Natchez.
Here's the Cincinnati Red's Great American Ball Park at mile 470.5
Mile 531.5, Markland Locks Locked 2315 hrs, out 0000 hrs
While checking out the lower engine room, i discover
a small leak coming from the packing tube on the port shaft. Speculation
as to go into dry-dock or not. Port Engineer will check it out in
Paducah.
10/31/05, 0805 hrs We are sitting in the Louisville & Portland Canal
at Louisville Kentucky waiting our turn to lock through McAlpine Locks.
Here's who we were waiting on, the triple screw boat m/v W W DYER.
11/01/05, 0040 hrs We lock through Cannelton Locks (mile 721) Yes the
time is right, the photo is from a trip back in April. Headed South at
0115 and delivered 15 loads at Rockport Plant and picked up 15 empties
at 0420, mile 744. Finished at 0555
The main chamber was down for repair at the Newburgh
Locks (mile 776) so there was a long delay there. Using the small
chamber, a tow longer than 600 feet has to double lock. We arrived there
at 1300 hrs and finally got our turn to lock through at 0400 hrs the
next day. We reached J. T. Meyers Locks (mile 846) at 1255 hrs and
headed on South at 1325 hrs.
We made Smithland Locks (mile 918.5) and locked through at 2000 hrs,
finished at 2035 hrs
This is another photo from the April trip. If you're
following the story, you'll recall we're now pushing empties and at 2000
hrs in November, it's dark.
11/02/05, 2300 hrs Arrival at Lock 52 (mile 938.9). Don't be
fooled by the bridge in the background. Lock 52 is an old wicket dam and
it's between the bridge and us. It was a windy day, but Scott laid the
tow right between the bull noses perfectly.
Here's the view of the wicket dam from the lock. If you're coming
down river, you can't see the dam until it's too late.
Here's a view as we pulled out of lock 52 at 1651 hrs 11/03/05.
11/03/05 mile 947 We drop the empties at Cook Coal Terminal and
pickup 7 loads and 6 MTS empties. It doesn't take them long to load a
1500 ton capacity hopper.
It was decided the day before that we will go into dry-dock to check out
the leak. We are to take our tow back up to Paducah and wait the m/v
CAPT. JOHN REYNOLDS to exchange the tow while we go into dock for
repairs. After all was said and done we finally made the exchange at
mile 932, 1730 hrs on 11/04/05.
11/04/04, mile 4 Tennessee River, 1850 hrs Arrived at Paducah
dry-dock for repairs.
Got her up and out of the water. Here I am standing in front of
"Gertie Lou" as we call her.
Here's the problem! Chief Tom Hunt discusses the crack with Captain
Dale Wallace. Chalk mark is outlining the size of the crack.
Tom checks out the repair. Notice the "strings" hanging down from the
hull. They're believed to be the larvae of mayflies and if one gets on
your neck, they can bite the heck out of you.
Here's Chief Tom Hunt posing for me next to the starboard wheel.
Here are the port coolers. Large one is engine coolers and smaller
one is gear box cooler.
11/05/05 1000 hrs We are leaving dry-dock and heading
light boat back to Cook Coal Terminal to pickup fifteen loads heading
back up to Rockport. Heading back up river we had a bit of a wait at
Lock 52 but finally locked through at 0045 hrs.
11/06/05, 0255 hrs We made Smithland Locks (mile
918.5). Had to wait there till 0520 hrs finally got North bound at 0600
hrs. 1550 hrs arrived at J T Myers Locks mile 846 Locked through 1730 -
1805 hrs. Arrived at Newburgh Locks (mile 776) at 0315 hrs and have a
long wait time. finally started locking at 2230 hrs.
11/08/05 0035 hrs Finally out of the locks and making
headway.
0530 hrs We arrive at the Rockport Terminal (mile 744) drop eight
loads and pick up five empties to head further North.
This is another photo taken in April. The sun was
just coming up as we were leaving (0730 hrs).
We made Cannelton Locks 9 mile 721) at 1200 hrs. No delay and were on
our way at 1235 hrs.
1600 hrs Arrived at Derby, Indiana (mile 692.5) for crew change. This
is where I got off along with six other crew members.
First trip takes the luggage to the shore and brings back the cook,
captain, and mate. Second trip brought the cook, chief, me and rest of
the luggage to shore. This photo is the third trip taking the rest of
the crew to the boat and picking up the pilot and the captain. The chief
going on will return to the boat with the yawl.
Here's the last view of "Gertie Lou" before we hit the road back
home. The yawl has not yet left the shore for the boat. Notice she has
not got name boards yet. She just got the new paint scheme and name
boards have not been made yet. |
TM