I arose at 6 am after a few hours rest,and my usual peek out the door confirmed that for once, the weather man was right! The wind was now blowing from the north at about 30 miles per hour, and the temperature was about 30 degrees. Bitter cold with the wind chill! I put on long johns and an extra coat, yanked my ball cap down tight on my head and stepped out into the cold. The morning was crystal clear and crisp, typical weather after the passing of a winter cold front. The pilot and I discussed...

Capt Mike

Secure at Robin St. Wharf, New Orleans
I rested well, as only a captain can when he knows his vessel is tied up securely in a safe port. I arose at 7 am and prepared for the day and the beginning of a new cruise. I hoped to spend the morning reviewing the upcoming cruises on the Intercoastal Waterway, and to call all the ports and locks along our route to let them know we were coming. The morning was clear and warm as I made my way into the office to confer with my boss in the Marine Operations...

Capt Mike

My name is Sheila Nichols and I am a co-producer of a documentary film on the life and music of John Hartford titled: JOHN HARTFORD "OH YEAH" I am looking for information on how to contact the current owner of the Julia Belle Swain. I am also looking to see if anyone has a copy of the tape that was created when John Hartford had his back to several steamboats and could name the boat by listening to the whistles.....
if you can help me on either of these issues...It would...

sheila nichols

...due to the insane persistance of my next- younger brother Danny. He had relentlessly hounded social workers at the home, seeking information about the where-abouts of his brothers, and finally one near retirement relented and told him where his older brothers were and who had adopted our youngest brother, Jimmy. It turned out that brother Jimmy had been adopted by the President of a large southern Missouri college, and was living in Cape Girardeau, Missouri. Danny made an appointment to see the...

Capt Mike

Sunday, August 17th, Paducah, Kentucky

We arrived and tied off uneventfully at the Paducah City front about 2:30 am this morning, having locked straight through Kentucky Lock without a delay. I was able to get the kind of rest a Captain can get when his vessel is tied securely in a safe port in fair weather and tended by a competent crew.
I arose at 7am, showered and dressed for the day, and after my usual rounds of the boat I made my way to the forward cabin lounge to have...

Capt Mike