The BIG Towboat M/V AMERICAN HERITAGE Pushing 42 Barges Northbound Mississippi River @ Kimmswick Mo

[@teresanoel6469]

This is the boat my son is on! Thank you so very much for posting this! He has been on the river over 23 years. We are so proud of him. The American Heritage is beautiful going up the mighty Mississippi! You posted this on crew change day.

[@teresanoel6469]

@@LadyMarie880 I was just going on the day he posted this video. 04/08/2020. That was the crew change day.

[@LadyMarie880]

@@teresanoel6469 it looked like a beautiful Morning then it could have been evening. I hope this doesn't upset Captain if we chat about his Tow Boat

[@LadyMarie880]

BOWZER thankyou for videoing the American Heritage. Beautiful..😊 Captain and I spoke many times on chat page He has pushed as many as 64 .He is truly a Gentlmen. Awesome camera tour of his Tow Boat. Please let me thank you again. Always watch..... I wish you all, " Peace and Wellness."

[@davidschick6951]

64 loads?

[@siglavikingkearns8108]

Just when I think I've seen at least a sample of everything that KZbin has to offer, I stumble upon something like this. Very nicely done. Not much smoke for something working that hard.

[@andrewmurphy8724]

The engines in this beast are called EMD's, and they do not belch much smoke at all. Now if they had Caterpillars in them we would not be able to see the boat. Still an awesome display of power.

[@lostsomewhereinhere]

No wonder it sounds like a sd40-2 locomotive in notch 8

[@kennethfryer3921]

I just got off that boat! I was the assistant engineer on there for a year and a half. That boat is a beast! 10,500 horsepower makes that thing scream.

[@andrewmurphy8724]

The trains of the river.

[@MrSychnant]

How does it manage to steer the barges? regular rudders?

[@andrewmurphy8724]

@@MrSychnant All boats have normal rudders behind the wheels and they are extremely large. Think barn door sized, but some large boats also have what are called Flanking or backing rudders in front of the wheels to steer the boat when it is backing up or the engines are in reverse.

[@dalemarshall625]

What kind of engines

[@andrewmurphy8724]

@@dalemarshall625 there are a lot of different engines used in towboats. Depends upon the size. Boats this size normally use EMD's as powerplants, but smaller ones can use GM's Caterpillars, or Cummins, and others.

[@LadyMarie880]

Took another look because I so enjoy watching and listening to the sound awesome , thanks Bowzer ... on Feb. 14 Captain Hubert Harned starts his 50th yr. On the river. This is his wheelhouse his Towboat. I want to wish him a Happy Birthday. and Congratulations.

[@piratelynn3482]

Capt Harned is great! He loves his bosses!

[@artsnook7107]

One of the beasts of the River, a triple screw, smoke rolling from the stacks hard pushing Beast with 14 loads and 24 empty's against the current Northbound..... how awesome can you get? Thanks and welcome back and you sure have not lost any of your artful flying skills since coming back.

[@bowieoscar2984]

I realize I am pretty randomly asking but do anybody know a good website to watch newly released movies online ?

[@rogerforest1729]

@Bowie Oscar Lately I have been using FlixZone. Just google for it =)

[@carolyaster5466]

Awesome drone work and what a beautiful towboat. Wishing Captain Harned well.

[@LadyMarie880]

Had to look one more time beautiful love the sound with my earbuds . Feel the engines in my chest love it hahaha thanks again Bowzer the towboat is looking so good Captain told us on chat up north here that they were painting and it wasn't finished. So maybe we will get a picture of her or video again some time thanks again be safe stay healthy. Bye bye.

[@TheMrdavidlangley]

Great production! Excellent cinematography. OMG, I can't believe I spelled cinematography right. Lol! Thanks bowzer. Have yourself a very nice weekend.

[@daleb.3514]

This is fascinating. I never knew a towboat could push that many barges. I live in Quincy, IL and never have noticed that many barges being towed. Thanks for posting.

[@Ken-sr6jo]

This tow was probably south of St. Louis where there isn’t a lock system. There is no way that they could lock a tow that wide. Believe they always add more barges heading south where they don’t have to deal with locks. Always enjoyed going to Keokuk, Ia and watch them go thru the lock. Amazing how they can thread all those barges into the lock with weary little room. They drop the tow around 30 ft. At this lock.

[@martinjcamp]

Fantastic Drone Footage! ALMOST makes me be missing my days on the M/V Barbara Brent on the river so many years ago. Thank You!

[@jimnash526]

You are a very smooth operator ! Keep up the excellent vids ! Thank you !!!

[@LadyMarie880]

Morning Bowzer,enjoy looking at the fields around and long the shore of the river... from the sky/drone beautiful views.... and everytime one goes back to look again you always see something new hahaha thankyou again...maybe some day you well fly the St Clair River...with your drone.. thank you

[@Pants4096]

Well gosh, thank you to KZbin's almighty algorithm for suggesting this to me. What a GORGEOUS video, and a humbling experience to imagine all that power, mass, momentum, value, commerce... what that river has meant for the history of the midwest... all of it! Cheers from the state of the headwaters of the Mississippi! ◡̈

[@johnadams9711]

It give one a perspective. Good job on the photography Bowser. Thanks to Capt. Harned.

[@waynefrederick3047]

Thanks for the video Bowzer, making up for lost time this week. Appreciate it. Capt is pushing a heck of lot of barges there! Aint his first rodeo.....

[@LadyMarie880]

Captain has 30 on the Tow Boat or going to be.hahaha Every interesting Gentlmen

[@Grzz51]

Back in the 70's, 80's and 90's 42 barge tows were quite common. A large number of boats from Federal Barge, ACBL, and several other companies had from 9,600 to10,500 HP. Most were powered by three 16 cyl EMD engines. I worked for Helena Marine Service at the time at the fuel dock that sat right under the Helena, AR bridge on the MIssissippi River. We fueled a lot of the big boats, but my favorites were the M/V America and M/V United States. They had 4 Cooper-Bessemer reversing engines for a total of 9,000HP. Whose big slow turning engines would rattle every window in the building when they would "come ahead" as they cleared the bridge........ great memories!

[@stevennewman8276]

I worked at MS Marine in Greenville,MS & we BARELY docked the American. There was probly 3 ft on each side between drydock wall & boat hull & it hung off both ends of the dock 30-ft or more.

[@love2fish60]

You were at my back door. Literally! Great video by the way.

[@leslietaylor4458]

From Chester here

[@LadyMarie880]

😃looking again haha Thanks , Merry Christmas ...Bowzer and everyone else, stay safe

[@mrtroybilt7551]

Glad to see you are back making videos. You have been missed . Keep up the good work.

[@Axel2max]

Thank You for your quality videos. I appreciate your videography and beauty of your captures. I wish I had your skills Look forward to each new video.

[@bobbreit5244]

HOLY TRIPLE SMOKESTACK BATMAN! I had not seen a triple screw. Love the footage.

[@holeshotv311]

That American Heritage is a beast. Looks good with the fresh paint. Assuming it is not quiet complete. Great Video. Thank you Sir!

[@LadyMarie880]

Well Sir I'm back again just love watching this video .. think about it some have trouble parking there car. KEEPING it between the lines ..... an hour drive , tired them out... try moving 8 acres for six hours.... love love watching just a beautiful .. Captain H. H. Thankyou for showing US. how it's done....... .. .. .. Thankyou Bowzer for sharing.......

[@gvickerman]

Years ago my wife was the reporter in the twin city area for the Waterways Journal. She loved the river then and still does.We think your videos are great.keep it up.

[@andrewmurphy8724]

I work on the lower Mississippi and see these boats all the time. Myself I push no more than 6 barges (I tried the big tows once but was a wreck after and said never again). It takes skill and guts to drive one of these big boats with their extremely large tows up and down the river. I remember when I first started out delivering fuel to this boat. Over 10000 gallons if i remember right. The operators of these boats have my respect and admiration. But I will stick to my small tows.

[@DROPTINE]

Awesome stuff My Dad was a Captain for 25+ years worked for Wisconsin Barge Line, Conti carriers and More ! He passed away in his Room just outside of Louisville on the Ohio. I worked for ACBL, Conti carriers and ADM !

[@jimmyleon2983]

Awesome video. I really enjoy these types of videos!

[@scottadcock550]

Excellent channel! Subbed. Watching from Louisville, Kentucky!

[@EddieRobertsRiverGypsy]

Made several supply deliveries and crew changes for that tow down here on the Lower; 363LMR. Fine tow. Stennis as well. I think I've got the world record pics and vids of tows. Perks of the job. Midstreamer. Everything I do is on-the-fly. I catch their speed, ease over to midship and let the screw suction bring me in. They pull me along as we offload. Breaking loose from the suction can be.....fun if your crazy. I'm the Skipper of the 28 footer with 500hp which I use all of. Lol! Enjoy you vids...

[@LadyMarie880]

HAPPY NEW YEAR 2023. BLESSINGS TO ALL WHO RIDE, DRIVE, AND CARE FOR HER.

[@chuckcts-v3460]

I was in the USCG out of Memphis, appx 1962-63. The 2 biggest boats then were the, America and the United States, both painted yellow w/black trim, appx 9,000 hp. I have seen them with similar tows up bound, loaded on the Mississippi.

[@snowwhite7571]

WOW, Fantastic views!!!!🤩 Thank you!!

[@nucupanzaru9609]

Super video! A good thought! Nucu from Dristor DC Romania!

[@cds957]

Just look at all those "Rooster Tails"...starting about 11:30, that's a lot of horsepower, keep'em rolling!

[@philbert006]

10,500 horsepower, as a matter of fact.

[@robfraley4210]

That is a Nice big pretty boat, five stories high, plenty of Room in the rooms of that beast with three wheels Pushing forty two (42) barges 😱 Northbound against the current, 😳 Six wind and Seven barges long 😎👍✅

[@LadyMarie880]

Bowzer, Captain is slip sliding,and gliding with 40 barges ,... eating strawberry ice cream. Hahaha got to love.... thank Bowzer hope you well.

[@brian.7966]

now that is a great piece of filming, well done.

[@escapewithjay]

that intro shot was awesome

[@hobbyhermit66]

She a big boat. For a moment there I thought she had her own mailbox, (the blue thing) Thanks for the upload.

[@petermenningen338]

I used to watch these guys at Lock & Dam 12 Belview Iowa. there is nothing more impressive that a tug pushing a loaded double stack into a lock upstream and breaking it apart while in the action of reversing out to let the doors close. The one that impressed me the most is when he was pushing Anhydrous Ammonia fertilizer and had 3" of clearance from the rope bumpers on both sides and they never touched the walls of the lock.

[@LadyMarie880]

Captain thankyou for telling us about your prize Towboat. 🥰

[@brbertram]

You have a very cool hobby.

[@houzepw]

Now that is impressive! I grew up on the Ohio river and the biggest tow I can remember was 3 wide 5 long.I can't imagine piloting that in a high wind situation.

[@jeromyt6873]

3wide and 5 long is pretty standard on the Ohio. I've never seen them bigger. Might see one beside the tow occasionally, but that's rare.

[@BobSmith-mc7uq]

Excellent video. Thanks for uploading! 😀👍

[@SoupyOatmeal]

You have excellent technique in framing those shots where you hold on one location. It gives me a chance to look around and see all the details. The sound of the engine is great. Stay well. Your towboat vids are a cut above.

[@terencegillespie6675]

Nice work, friend.

[@LadyMarie880]

Thanks Bowzer 👍 aways love this.....

[@ditzydoo4378]

his reminds me of my Uncle Buddy Grimmett who was the Captain of the Bigalo back in the 70's. At the time one of the largest Tugs on the Mississippi river.

[@actemple3282]

Super cool great video

[@davidharris2519]

another good video thx

[@evawexlie8762]

Great river, amazing view❤️

[@sukaenacornelius9285]

My husband and I live on the TN river in west TN. It is always cool seeing barges pass by. It doesnt take away from the sound of nature, it adds a peaceful comforting hum. I really like it, especially in the mornings.

[@evawexlie8762]

@@sukaenacornelius9285you are happy people.❤️ We live in Prague, EU. Beautiful historical city until now. A lot of people, high prices, refugees, incomers, mortgage crisis, censorship, mostly hopelessness inhabitants...uf. But good job. 🥴 I'm born in woody landscape and for me is this terrible. So we are watching on YT your river and birds, it's relax. Stay safe.

[@shawnthomas314]

Amazing piece of machinery

[@mow021851]

Excellent work with the video camera on that drone.

[@personnpc590]

Now that is one badass display of power.

[@antoniacampos8895]

Cada vez que vejo teus vídeo Bowzer fico inprecionada como vc filma ótimo vc é muito detalhista Bowzer vc é muito profissional parabéns

[@leslietaylor4458]

From Chester here, I've seen that (or 42 barges) a few times... I'm a local driver for Gilster and cross chester bridge at least 6 times a day

[@LadyMarie880]

BOO hahaha just had two 😊 it came up on my monitor, what could I do but WATCH lol thanks Bowzer you know what I think this is a great video hahaha bye bye

[@PlanetMojo]

I'm on the Mississippi up by LaCrosse WI. I don't think we see half that many barges being pushed up here! I believe the largest is three wide and five long. Even at that they have a hard time with the corner at Lansing IA, and have hit the bridge a few times. I don't think the locks at the dams are wide enough either. Awesome footage!

[@formerfarmer1718]

Fast forward to today and we’re saying look at all that water!

[@terrellprice8013]

The locks hold, If my memory is correct, twelve to 15 barges. These super tugs operate only in no-lock areas of the River. MO on the upper Mississippi. When I graduated from MS State I owed $150.00, the rest paid from working on all the navigable waters of the Mississippi River system. Good experience, good education all without government assistance.

[@philbert006]

Cairo, illinois to New Orleans. Some of the big ones work the upper, but the tow won't be anything like that. That big of a boat and most any triple screw will only operate the lower Mississippi

[@LadyMarie880]

Yup Bowzer I'm watching again thanks

[@LadyMarie880]

😂😅😁😃😀🙂🤣😂😆I know this Captain, He is the Chatter Hero, kind and educational , only to happy to explain what he does , about the barges and His Twoboat ..... Captain Hubert Harned is retiring in a few days , Bowzer . So wish Him the very Best....

[@MrSuzuki1187]

bowser, can you get back to the Missouri when it opens again in spring? Love your videos and respect your skills as a drone pilot , this from a retired airline pilot.

[@southerngentleman2516]

It wasn't even turned up. When they do the wheel wash is crazy. And will have waves rolling for a 1/2 -3/4 mile behind hit. Never rode one that big but saw them when working and riding smaller boats.

[@bencekovacs4765]

Wow! That's a big tow. In Europe our towboats are shipping with 8 or 12 barges on the Danube river. And 12 is a lot for us.

[@andrewmurphy8724]

The record tow on the mississippi river was 72 barges at one time by the M/Z Miss Kae-D on May 6, 198.

[@jeffereyphelps5630]

i was on the m/v great america in the 80s we had a tow of 42 also wish i could get back on the big muddy

[@marktwained]

Enjoyed, as always. 👍🏻👍🏻

[@clems6989]

Now THAT is a river pilot !!!

[@LadyMarie880]

🎄🎄🎄🎄🎄🎄🎄🎄🎄HAPPY NEW YEAR.

[@zetuskid]

That captain has got to keep his eyes on the ball!!! Great shots! By the way are there any rules/regulations you have to follow about distance you have to keep with your little “whirly bird” drone?

[@chrislane2030]

nice video man

[@IWLDELJ]

Ugh! Those face wires at four minutes. Beautiful. I miss the river quite a bit. I miss being a deckhand at least. As a pilot, the PAY rocks... but as a deckhand, the WORK rocks. Except painting. FUCK that shit. AWESOME cinematography. Good stuff!

[@jallyson90]

someone knowns what are those sticks in front of barges? under water? Are light?

[@BowzerTowboats]

Depth finders

[@jallyson90]

@@BowzerTowboats Thanks. I will search about it. I guess there is a sounder sending depth information to wheelhouse. In Brazil just convoys with 25 barges is allowed If tug has azimuthal propulsion

[@jschulte3]

Most I’ve seen where I work is a 6 pack this is wow! Average is a 4 pack

[@djef1046]

MAGNIFIQUE CONVOI VUE DE FRANCE ( Bourgogne) très beau pousseur

[@davidharris2519]

they break this barge apart when it goes thru the locks correct? now if thats true that would be a good video

[@teresanoel6469]

This boat does not go above ST. Louis.

[@davidharris2519]

@@teresanoel6469 so no locks south of STL

[@drpoundsign]

overhead electric lines (one for each direction of travel) could power barges and cruise ships on rivers.

[@dutenn]

What app where you using on the tablet there? The old find ship app doesn't work too great anymore

[@Budni_Rechnika]

Мощно!Восторг вызывает подобное зрелище!😀👍

[@Chris_In_Texas]

1:55 Just curious why the poles are in the water in the front?

[@ronaldharris6569]

Poles?maybe you are looking at the cables that are attached to the barges

[@Chris_In_Texas]

@@ronaldharris6569 At 1:55 you can see the two poles on port and starboard barges leaving a wake (rooster tail) in the water. I assume its maybe the forward nav lights and in the center with the flag would be the yellow nav light.

[@jeffyoung2089]

👍👍 Thanks!!!

[@daviddemarest2724]

Well they can do this with electric right

[@daviddemarest2724]

Not!!

[@drpoundsign]

By Battery?? Not a chance. BUT...:(and, the reason I came to this site) there are other options. I see NO reason (other than initial cost) why the couldn't have overhead high voltage power lines-one for each direction of travel-to power ships on large rivers. There are Many such rivers in the World. The water would serve as the electrical ground. This would be Much cheaper, and more efficient than the Diesel fuel they use. Even with most electricity being made from natural gas turbines; those turbines are Way more efficient, and cause less particulate and other pollution, than the engines on ships. Failing THAT: they could also use "Green" ammonia, made from Solar or Wind power. The ammonia is not burned directly, it's broken back down into Hydrogen and Nitrogen gas; the former can be "burned" in a fuel cell, which would power electric motors.

[@subpoppy1]

Man that's a long way from the flags to the pilot house

[@LadyMarie880]

Captain has told us on a chat page his American Heritage is 200 feet long . One barge is 35 x 200 feet AND he is pushing 42 here. That is 6.7 acres 😀

[@christinaschafer9050]

I can really see the Kahlenberg Q4 up top

[@corgraveland4874]

Very, very impressive! How much weight om board of these 42 barges to be pushed to contrary river flow? Thought we could see large combinations at river Rhine between Netherlands and Germany. With up to 16,500 tons of coal in 6 barges and with up till 6,000 horsepower with triple screw. But this is even significantly bigger. I think in Europe we learned and largely copied it from the Mississippi practice in around the 50-ties. Great footage!

[@scottallred3941]

Each barge holds around 70 -75 semi loads of grain, estimated 50,000 lbs / truck load. Take that times amount of barges will give you how many tons per tow they push.

[@davidharris2519]

how come its rare to see crewmen outside during when you film

[@philbert006]

It's rare for them to be outside unless they are in a port making tow. Maybe an hour each shift walking the tow checking and tightening rigging and pushing drift off. Otherwise they are cleaning painting and doing general upkeep on the boats.

[@LadyMarie880]

CHRISTMAS TREAT TO MYSELF , AMERICAN HERITAGE, IT WVEN SOUNDS , right to the ear. AMERICAN strong and Free.. I'll be ok 😁🤣😆

[@debthill8285]

How long of a walk is that for the deck hands

[@billhoel6530]

NIce footage. Might I ask what software that was on your Samsung phone? I live on the Upper Miss, and it would be fun to track boats.

[@davy1458]

That's one sweet ass towboat!!!....do you ever come past Louisville?

[@kodi1415]

Cpt Harned of this boat is a good freind of mine.

[@LadyMarie880]

Just saying , thanks Bowzer

[@baby_girl_jennifer8573]

what app are you using ?

[@woltervoorwaarts2]

Amazingy.. This is not possible on the river Rhine in Europe.

[@prateeksharma6706]

Man hope we can do this on waterway 1 situated on ganga river in india like 250 million people live along it it would be huge booste to economy

[@phillipgarrow2297]

What company owns it? I'm from Michigan I've never seen anything like that on the great lakes

[@Daveco82]

AMERICA the beautiful!

[@greghendershot6126]

Are these E5 EMD's?

[@jaypipken7444]

Does it pay more if you pilot on the Mississippi than say the Ohio or Missouri or Illinois rivers . Is there a deference in the pay .