[Ted Davisson]

Greetings From New Orleans ,
One of the most interesting and intriqueing aspects of working on the river , for me at least , as been the rather unique and special terms and termenology that is pecular only to life on the river and for that matter just where , when and how did these same terms originate from ? For example the term " Tow Head " , where , why and when did that term come from ? Is it a term that has survived the years and originated from old steamboat pilots or for that matter tow boat pilots that viewed the island ( and thats really all it is ) as a " tow " of barges or what ? I've checked my charts and racked my mind and memory and to the best of my knowledge , the term " Tow Head " is only found on the Lower Mississippi River at approximately river mile 194 , and is known as Bayou Goula Towhead . Upon close inspection , its only one of a few islands that are found on the Lower between New Orleans and Baton Rouge , but does anyone know for certain the signifinance of " Tow Head " ?? Above Baton Rouge , there is Profit Island so why not Bayou Goula Island ?? So , if anyone out there has an explanation for this rather unique term , I for one would certainly appreciate their input . In the accompaning picture , is a shot of the Str. Delta QUeen , underway and south bound , abeam of the lower portion of Bayou Goula Towhead . In that picture , and on the right , you can see the chute that goes behind the towhead and on the left , you can see the main channel of the river . That picture brings back fond memories of piloting the " Queen " and even small ships behind Bayou Goula Towhead inorder to get out of the strong current in that bend and to also cut off a few miles and to also make better time as well . Another river term that comes to mind and that is used frequently on the lower at least , is " Gauge Water " . For example , before we would run behind the Bayou Goula Towhead , a responsible pilot would check what was on the Baton Rouge river gauge , and any well posted pilot in the area also knows that , the depth of water , behind the Bayou Goula Towhead , is " Gage Water " with respect to what is on the Baton Rouge river gage . For example , if there is 20' on the Baton Rouge gage , then there is about 20' behind the Bayou Goula Towhead and there would certainly be ample water to navigate a light draft vessel . I recall , my mentor , Captain " Rip " Ware would caution me to never run behind an island or towhead , on a falling river and I now pass that same advice on to our apprentice pilots as well . When you think of it , it really boggles the mind , when you consider how piloting and other river related river information is passed on from one generation of pilots to another . I also wonder how much information is unfortunately lost forever because this same information had been over looked or forgotton about and not passed on . Also , Bayou Goula Towhead has become somewhat of a " safe harbor " for a number of river vessels , including the Str. Natchez when severe weather would be coming into the New Orleans area . But getting back to my original thought , there is literally an entire glossary of river terms that most people would just not have a clue to of what we were referring to .
As Always , Smoothe Sailing !
Ted Davisson