More Tidbits From Capt Schultz:
Artical From Capt Schultz:
In the days of sail, “Same day Service,” was a term yet to be invented. Planning the length of a voyage was a science in itself. Estimated time of arrivals, were akin to, “Dart Throwing.” Speed of the ship was determined by, “Casting the Log.” The “Log,” actually being a chip of wood, attached to a light line, which was knotted at regular intervals, and wound around a wooden spool. The Log would be cast overboard from the Quarterdeck, usually by a Masters Mate, while a seamen held the spool of line above his head horizontally, with each hand grasping the shaft which ran thru the spool for support, as well as to allow an even strain for the line to unwind. A minute glass would be turned as the log hit the water, and the number of knots that unwound from the spool would be counted, during the 60 seconds it would take for the last grains of sand to empty from the bulb. This number, then being applied to a formula having a proportional relationship of the distance traveled in terms of the number of knots counted, to time. From this, would be obtained the speed of the vessel, expressed in what is called: “Knots,” which pertains to the number of nautical miles traveled in one hour
In today’s day and age, a vessel’s speed and distance thru the water can be obtained with a simple glance at a sum log. Speed over the bottom is displayed continuously from a GPS unit. Estimated time of arrival at a destination or waypoint is constantly updated, and given to the second. Yet no matter how accurate your navigational instruments, and charts, nothing can prepare you for estimating the time to, “Lock Thru,” the various locks of any given waterway.
On Oct.19th, I arrived at the Brandon Road Lock on the Illinois River, seeking lockage down stream. After establishing contact with the lockmaster on channel #14, I was advised, there would be a delay, as a tug and barge were about to enter the lock from the opposite direction, and that they would be, “Cutting the Train.” Being unfamiliar with the terminology, I was a bit taken back with the two and a half hour wait, which followed. While freighters on the lakes are built to the maximum size that the locks will allow; tug and barge trains are made up to lengths that greatly exceed the size of the locks they must transit. The limiting factor on the rivers, are essentially the horsepower of the tug, and the radius of the bend in the river to be traveled. Cutting the train is a reduction of the overall length, by entering the lock, and disconnecting several of the forward most barges. Once this is accomplished, the tug backs off with those remaining, allowing the lock doors to be closed, and lockage of the separated barges. Having no means to exit the lock on their own, the forward section of barges are then winched clear, to allow the lock to be sent back down empty for the remaining tug and barges. The task is completed, with the reconnection of the two elements, and the tug then clearing the lock. Needless to say, the entire operation is very time consuming, and brings all traffic in either direction, to a stand still for sometime. Watching this event unfold, reminded me of a similar traffic interruption on another river, many years previous..
In the late 60’s, there was social unrest in Canada. The providence of Quebec, was considering succession from the confederation, and a referendum was pending.
Charles DeGaulle, has paid a visit, and poured gasoline on the fire by making the public statement; “Long live Free Quebec.” Queen Elizabeth, and Prince Phillip, would follow, making a diplomatic visit to Canada and the USA via the St. Lawrence Seaway, aboard the Royal Yacht Britannia. Threats had been made by various underground groups; that the ship would never succeed in transiting the length of the seaway, without being blown up, and both countries were taking the matter seriously. During this period, Canada was also actively trading with the Soviet Union, and Uncle Sam had an issue with Soviet Ships transiting waters of the USA by themselves. To prevent the Soviets from planting a nuclear device or doomsday machine in home water’s, the task was handed to the Coasties. As a Quartermaster in the USCG at the time, based on the St. Lawrence River, I was that first line of defense, in turning back the Communist Hoards. The Rules of Engagement were never really explained to us in great detail, and other than giving a Soviet Merchant Ship an escort when within United States territorial waters, the whole thing was really pretty much a Dr. Strangelove type of affair. Had such an event actually occurred; I’m still at a loss to know exactly what we were to have done.
To Be Continued:
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