Smithville, MS to Columbus, MS

October 24^th, 2015
Saturday
Miles Traveled 42.5
Total Miles Traveled 852
Day 45

We had an early start to an eventful day.  This is “Firebird” at our anchorage this morning at sunrise.

 

We locked through 3 locks today, our first was within sight of our anchorage last night.  A tow came in just before our departure so we had to wait for him to lock through.  The second lock was only 6 miles downstream so by the time we locked through and made it to the second lock, the tow was approaching the chamber. 

 We could smell the fresh cut pine a half mile away from this mulch processing plant.

 

I finally caught a good shot of an eagle today, I had a closer shot but couldn’t get to the camera fast enough.

 

The third lock was 14 miles so we figured we would pass the tow and lock through before he arrived.  I called the tow on the radio and asked if we could pass, he replied on his “one whistle” which in tow speak is on his port, or left side.  He informed me it was all clear.  We passed in a very narrow but straight channel and could see the next lock about 2 miles out, so I called the lockmaster for passage.  I was informed we would lock through “after” the tow.  Now, there was no communication on the radio, so we can assume the tow and the lockmaster had already had an agreement that the tow would go first.  I’m not sure why the tow didn’t ask us to wait because the lock was waiting for him.  “Firebird” dropped his anchor and we tied up to him and ate lunch while waiting for the tow.

 

We planned to stay at the Columbus Marina tonight which was 22 miles from the 3^rd lock.  Moni and I decided we were not going to pass the tow again and if we caught him before the marina, we would reduce speed.  “Firebird” was behind us and in agreement with our decision.  We caught him about 6 miles from the marina and he reduced his speed from 7 mph to 3.5 mph and was favoring the starboard side of the channel.  We assumed he was slowing for us to pass, so I called him on the radio and asked if we could pass on his “one whistle”.  He replied yes, it is all clear.  We increased speed and about half way past the first barge, the tow increased his speed to match ours?  We increased our speed again to about 9.5 mph and was barley gaining on him---- and we were in a narrow channel.  The water was boiling from the back of the tow and “Firebird” had to back off.  I looked back at the tows pilot house and could see at least 4 people watching the show.  I called the tow on the radio and asked if he didn’t want us to pass, we would have gladly followed him to our destination. He replied that he had to blow the soot from his engines and would back off and let us pass.   

I guess it was a boring day on the Tenn-Tom Waterway for the Captain of “Alice Parker” and a good learning experience for “Moni Jean”.  We made it to port safe and sound.  I must add that all of the tows that we have encountered since starting the loop have been very professional and courteous.