Topic starter
07/10/2009 1:00 pm
The pictures below show what extrems ex-steamboaters will go to return to the river. These pics are of "Steamboat Mary", former Discovery Guide on the D.Q., going aboard a deep water ship with NOBRA 70. Many of us will do anything to return to "our" river. While we would prefer it was on a Steamboat, any way to get one more trip will do.
It was mid-night, in a rain storm, when these pics were taken.
07/10/2009 1:15 pm
Mary deserves the River Lady of the year award. That takes a lot of nerve and desire. I have always said the ship pilots deserve what ever dollars they are paid, forget the piloting skills, just to get on and off the ships. I hate to get from a towboat up on an empty, let alone use a Jacobs ladder up the side of a moving ship. My hat goes off to Mary, your some "pluckey" lady.
07/10/2009 11:48 pm
Mary made it look easy !!
Fred ,
As I recall when you and Mary made the ship river trips with me it was Mary , that went up the ladder first and it was you and I that followed her ! She made it look easy !!
Smooth Sailing !
Ted Davisson
Fred Carmichael;18764 wrote: The pictures below show what extrems ex-steamboaters will go to return to the river. These pics are of "Steamboat Mary", former Discovery Guide on the D.Q., going aboard a deep water ship with NOBRA 70. Many of us will do anything to return to "our" river. While we would prefer it was on a Steamboat, any way to get one more trip will do.
It was mid-night, in a rain storm, when these pics were taken.
08/10/2009 12:20 am
Guys, I had a blast with Captain Ted! I must confess that I thought the Jacob's ladder was great fun. I knew that, in truth, it IS dangerous, and also that if I said I would go with the good captain, I was committing to the possibility of climbing the ladder. No wimping out. But honestly, it was much less intimidating than I thought it would be!
We did another trip, the next night, on a 105,000 ton oil carrier. When we got to the ship, they lowered a metal stairway for us, so I didn't get to go up the Jacob's ladder--and was a bit disappointed! But let me tell you, riding with Captain Ted was such a good education! It was amazing to watch him give directions to two different vessels and two different crews. But you should see him "park" a huge vessel at a dock, where there is another huge vessel already there! He had to make sure it was lined up correctly with the off-loading equipment. His comment when I mentioned how hard it must be? "Just the same as parking a little boat!" Kudos to the pilots.
I think Fred came behind me to catch me if I fell. What a gentleman!!
08/10/2009 8:16 pm
So, when are you guys coming back to Cincinnati? We're 130 miles above town heading your way (currently stopped due to lock delay at Greenup). Mary, It'll probably be midnight tomorrow night when we go through town. And it will probably be raining. We'll leave the ladder out for you!!:)
08/10/2009 9:20 pm
Captain Mike: ha, ha. ;0)
08/10/2009 11:09 pm
Lemme second that. Steamboat Mary is a real boatm'n, not just a talker. She gets in there and does what has to be done... and does it well.