Memphis in Shelby County, Tennessee — The American South (East South Central)
Commercial Barge Traffic
Panel # 66
The first wooden barges were towed behind steamboats, but crosswinds and currents made the almost impossible to control. Through the name is the same, modern towing is really … Towboats push its group of barges, all to form a rigid unit. In the 1930’s steamboats were replaced by diesel-powered propellers. This arrangement is coordinated with the pick-up and delivery schedule, and sometimes the tow must during the trip in an intricate jigsaw puzzle fashion. The bow is lashed into a rigid unit using “wire” (2-inch steel cable) and “iron” (chains and lockhooks stretched tight). This hardwired is often called “river jewelry”.
Modern towboats are well-equipped and powerful-an average boat provides 8.500 horsepower and some can develop up to 16,500 horsepower. Like their steamboat ancestors they unusually have four decks, but modern pilots sit in padded swivel chairs surrounded by sophistical monitoring equipment. The familiar spoke wheel is a gone-a system of levers control both steering and engine power. Deckhands work two 6 hour shifts every 24 hours and get every other month off River transportation has distinct economic advantages: its dramatically cheaper than rail or trucks transport, and uses far less energy. (Marker Number 66.)
Topics. This historical marker is listed in these topic lists: Railroads & Streetcars • War, US Civil • Waterways & Vessels.
Location. 35° 8.968′ N, 90° 3.507′ W. Marker is in Memphis, Tennessee, in Shelby County. Marker is on Island Drive. Mud Island Mississippi Riverwalk. Touch for map. Marker is at or near this postal address: 125 N Front St, Memphis TN 38103, United States of America. Touch for directions.
Other nearby markers. At least 8 other markers are within walking distance of this marker. The Mississippi Riverwalk (here, next to this marker); Ohio River (here, next to this marker); Cairo, Illinois (here, next to this marker); Islands No. 2, 3, and 4 / Fort Jefferson, Kentucky / Bird’s Point, Missouri (here, next to this marker); Island No. 5 (Wolf Island)/Belmont, Missouri/Columbus, Kentucky (here, next to this marker); Donaldson Point, Missouri/Island No. 8/Hickman, Kentucky/Dorena Crevasse (here, next to this marker); New Madrid, Missouri/Cates Casting Field/Island No. 10 (here, next to this marker); Tiptonville, Tennessee/Bixby Towhead (here, next to this marker). Touch for a list and map of all markers in Memphis.
Credits. This page was last revised on April 14, 2018. It was originally submitted on March 18, 2018, by Sandra Hughes Tidwell of Killen, Alabama, USA. This page has been viewed 203 times since then and 10 times this year. Photo 1. submitted on March 18, 2018, by Sandra Hughes Tidwell of Killen, Alabama, USA. • Bill Pfingsten was the editor who published this page.