And Through the Rivers

A crew of six pilots a 2100 horsepower tow boat pushing coal barges from Tuscaloosa to Mobile, Ala. This 1985 documentary shows what life is like for the crew as they navigate the Black Warrior, Tombigbee, and Mobile Rivers.

[@tew-dawg9671]

"We'll cross that trail when we get there." Personifies the mindset of a southern, or hell even a yank who works hard, and is skilled in his profession. We don't fret over what if's or what a bout whens. When it's time to handle business. You handle business. Great video.

[@edmctug8800]

Old school for sure !long before GPS Chart plotters AIS comupters Sub chapter M looks like an old decca radar in the pilot house !!!!!

[@johng5729]

Uncle Smitty loved his job on push boats. “Anything to get some time away from your Aunt Gertrude.”

[@Joelontugs]

Someone did an amazing job editing this together

[@MrCooky96]

I used to work at Warrior Asphalt in Tuscaloosa. The Rhett is still in service to this day. She pushes tanker barges full of Asphalt now

[@loganbrown3565]

Awesome

[@b.p.879]

I grew up in Hueytown AL and spent a lot of time on the Black Warrior at various camps and cabins and fishing trips. I still get excited when I see and hear one of the Tow Boats!

[@tew-dawg9671]

Did you know the Allisons ? Mobile boy here

[@raybraud1568]

Was a petroleum surveyor on the Mississippi River, worked on tug boats through my years. Much respect for these men. Skilled professionals. Funny, the rest of the country call these men simple rednecks, they wouldn’t exist as they know it without real men like these, and could NEVER work like they do. AND, the so called well off, don’t make half the money these REAL men do.

[@beboboymann3823]

This is awesome. Thank you for posting.

[@rivercap1986]

Oliver lock still looks good in its condition at that age

[@brent3523]

GREAT JOB thanks DUNEDIN FL

[@bak9451]

Love this 🤩

[@travisw81]

neutral to wide open reverse. got damn thats hard on the clutch

[@marktwained]

This was an amazing film.

[@coleyturner4419]

That young deck hand is is old man now 😂 n still works here lol

[@brbertram]

This was very well done.

[@robertrishel3685]

Really cool to see this! Good old days for sure. I was the last Port Captain at Warrior & Gulf Navigation (a few of their vessels seen in this video) Parker’s biggest rival on the Black Warrior for many years. It is sad to see the level of commercial barge traffic dwindle to what it has become now versus how things were in the 70’s, 80’s and 90’s. W&GN and Parker had tows in constant motion filling the Black Warrior river from Birmingport on the Locust Fork, Gorgas (and Port Walker) on the Mulberry fork, to Mobile. I first started as a deckhand on that river, became a pilot/captain and then went to work shoreside for many years. The time portrayed in this film is certainly a snapshot of the good old days!

[@amedtajanjimenez9767]

Hello there mr rishel, i was wondering if you meet Willie odom the pilot of the mauvilla when it hit the bridge in the big bayou canot. Anyway what a beatiful job going up and down the river. Wish my country's politicians will mske the magdalena river navegable again God bless

[@travisw81]

cool river to run cool video

[@hatchboy1]

I know this was an old video but people don’t talk like this in Tuscaloosa anymore! They all sound like northerners even the kids that are born here! I talk like these guys do!

[@joependarvis5698]

Is the Rhett the old Inland Pilot it looks like her

[@russharper5028]

I still work with Ben Mills

[@Lloydbrent33]

I think that was Ben's first trip on the river!

[@kerryculpepper4413]

It would be awesome to do a short video of any of the crew now.

[@donaldnelson171]

I'm still working

[@jeepxj]

@@donaldnelson171 update video?

[@cajunboytrucking5041]

Harris and Biden wants electric tug boats as well lmao

[@JP_94]

I can’t understand a Fucking word what the fuck and I know 4 languages lmao 🤣

[@tew-dawg9671]

Takes all kinds of simpletons in this world kid. You're ignorant, we understand.

[@BR-bj3ot]

This is what true Americans used be like. God fearing, hard working and friendly. We’ve lost a good bit of those traits. Nowadays, you wonder if you are still in America! The way they are flooding in at the border. It’s awful!