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Date: September 10, 2003 at 20:03:30
From: Barbara H, [squid.lb.seidata.com]
Subject: Re: DAVID WHITE Passengers and Crew |
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Cheryl,
A "striker" could either be an apprentice "cub" pilot or engineer . We are wondering if by "greaser" the writer may have meant "oiler"? We've not heard the term greaser (at least not in steamboat parlance), but oiler is a very common term. Either the engineer or the striker would lubricate moving parts on the engine and on the paddlewheel, a very dangerous job. According to Capt. Alan Bates (The Western Rivers Steamboat Cyclopoedium), "The grease cups at the paddlewheel shaft and crank pin are especially dangerous. The engineer or his striker is obliged to go back to turn the handles. He can be maimed by the pitman or crank, or knocked overboard to drown." The crank arms on the paddlewheel usually had needle valve oilers, while the babbitt bearings on the wheelshaft usually had grease cups. But we believe the term "oiler" is probably more correct, and is still in use today. Wasn't Kenny Howe of JeffBoat an oiler on the DQ?
Capt. Steve & Barbara H
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