Topic starter
16/06/2012 8:38 pm
Thanks to a heads up from Carmen, we found out the rafter CLYDE under the ownership and captaincy of one Shipyard Sam, aka Capt. Don Sanders, was overnighting in LeClaire Iowa. Suzanne and Richard Martinez zipped down there early this morning and not only saw the CLYDE, but got the 25 cent Captains' Fund tour of the vessel. I couldn't get up there before 10, so I checked the river as I drove up towards LeClaire and didn't see the boat enroute. (You all know the routine: 2 eyes on the river, 1 on the road). When I arrived in LeClaire, the CLYDE was gone. Obviously I had missed it enroute. Two contributing factors to this miscue would be that the CLYDE is not quite as easy to spot over the trees as one of the QUEENS is, and River Drive in Davenport is closed for construction. Anyway I found the CLYDE on my return. She was just above the main lock at L&D 15. But she was pointed upriver, not into the lock. It didn't take long to see that she was battling a strong wind and it took several minutes before Sam got her headed downriver, but once she pointed in the right direction, she zipped into the main chamber. Normally the recreational boats are put through the auxiliary chamber, but due to the strong wind, the lockmen were using the main chamber as long as no tows were around. I had a chance to visit with the crew, both of them, as they were lowered in the chamber. The swing span of the Government Bridge had to be opened, as well as the Crescent RR span just downriver. I followed the CLYDE down to my milemark, 480 UMR and watched her head downriver toward the I-280 bridge, Buffalo IA, and probably tonight's destination, Muscatine Iowa. It was good to see Don and to see a sternwheeler 'matriculating' down the UMR.
These 3 shots are above L&D 15 as she is fighting the wind.
Topic starter
16/06/2012 8:41 pm
More CLYDE above 15
In the background in these first pix you see piles of sand. This is the dock from which the last steam sternwheel towboat on the UMR, the LONE STAR, operated.
Topic starter
16/06/2012 8:44 pm
Still above the lock
There's the unmistakeable profile of Sam in the pilothouse in the closeup. All of these first pix were taken from Arsenal Island in front of the monument where the first railroad bridge across the Mississippi stood.
Topic starter
16/06/2012 8:47 pm
Headed downriver!
She's entering the main chamber.
You can see she doesn't tower above the lock walls.
Capt. Don working the lines.
Topic starter
16/06/2012 8:50 pm
Locking
Capt. Don
Pilot/deckhand/cook Ev
The CLYDE heads out of the main chamber, with the Government Bridge in the background
Topic starter
16/06/2012 8:55 pm
Rolling through downtown Davenport and RI
After clearing the lock and dissecting the downtowns of Davenport and Rock Island, the CLYDE heads under the Centennial Bridge.
Topic starter
16/06/2012 8:59 pm
Mile 480 UMR
The CLYDE passes my favorite viewpoint, a mile from my house. This is where my family used to watch the AVALON come back upriver on her Saturday night moonlight.
Topic starter
16/06/2012 9:30 pm
and onward toward the Gulf...
...or rather 480 miles on to Cairo, and then a left turn up onto the beautiful Ohio. Big wheel keep on turning!!!
17/06/2012 10:10 am
Hi Judy,
Glad you made it and found them!! Thanks for the photos!!
Carmen
17/06/2012 1:48 pm
Great photos, Judy and a good run! Glad to see they are doing OK.
02/04/2014 7:39 pm
Thanks for the Great Pics, Judy.
A little late, but thanks, Judy, for the pics... I would like to add them to the "Rafter Clyde. II" Fb. page. The CLYDE. was having a terrible time trying to get into the lock with all that wind and the strong draw toward the dam. Little did I know that a hydraulic line in the hull was ruptured and the life-giving liquid was draining out. Thankfully, the fluid lasted unto we got close to Andalusia, IL before giving out. We were there for nearly a week, and thanks to the help of Captain Ike Hastings and the citizens of that friendly town, repairs were made and the journey continued.
Topic starter
04/04/2014 2:50 am
Clyde pics
Sure, go ahead and add them to your album - the more viewers, the better!
06/04/2014 9:28 pm
Judy,
Thanks for posting the pics of the CLYDE. And thanks for the shots in and around L & D 15. It sure brought back memories. Making me home sick.