Str. SPRAGUE

Bob if Alan is not giving us a test, then I want to know who has been messing with his boat.

Bob's reply sounds like a correct one - I wouldn't have another answer. They must work, because I don't ever recall any rudder damage, and they've never had to replace bucketboards during the season. Now my question: if you didn't design them Alan, who did?

It's not a test. The skegs do not look like they are in line with the rudders. They may fend off the drift or something, but they're not my idea. I didn't know they had that much trouble with drift down there. Maybe Cap'n Steve can tell us.

There isn't as much drift in the NOLA harbor as on an upper river, but what you do often encounter are broken wooden pilings from the old wharves...

picture

My Mom died a few years back and I inherited numerous digital photos that resided on her hard drive. I was always fascinated with this one......

Dana: This image has always been a favorite of mine too. I purchased a 5x7 print of it in the gift shop on the main deck of the SPRAGUE in June of 1969, my first visit to the mammoth towboat at Vicksburg when I was 15 years old. The photo was in a plastic frame and cost $2. The lady in charge of the shop told me that they had those pictures taken just after painting of the boat had been completed -- and that it took 300 gallons of red paint to cover the paddlewheel!

300 gallons? Whoa. I was just always fascinated by the photo. I see that you have a model of the Sprague at the museum. I plan on surprising my husband next week by taking him down there to your neck of the woods (celebrating 24 years of marriage!). He's a river rat and would love to see your collection.

We have several models of the SPRAGUE in the Howard Steamboat Museum collection, the best one built by Keenon Coleman from plans drawn by Capt. Alan L. Bates. Congratulations upon your 24th wedding anniversary and we'll certainly look forward to having you and your husband visit the museum!