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"Locks & Dams On Rivers"
_____________________________________________________________________________ "A Rivers - TEETH" Tap Photo to Enlarge
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"River Navigation, Isn't As Easy As It Looks!" Its said that rivers give you damned little of What You = NEED! ....... And a whole lot of = What Ya Damned Sure = DON'T! .... A rivers is usually all - Stumps, Rocks, Sandbars, High Currents and Winds mixed together. Constantly re-arranged and re-hidden, making every trip an adventure, because its always different and never the same! Tap Photo To Enlarge
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"We Depend On Rivers A Lot More - Then You May Realize!" Tap Photo To Enlarge
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Basic River - Terms & Phrases The best examples can be found in this book - Tap To Enlarge
Available At: Jack Simpson's - Website, also has a large collection of Towboat - Photos Too! ______________________________________________________ Below - are a few traditional river terms & phrases, and some - that aren't. But they're all great examples of how things are expressed - or said on rivers, which can be far different from terms used on Oceans. In Fact, you can't use most "River Terms" = anywhere else, because their often have a totally different meaning. Case in point, take the term = S-H-I-T! .... ( Pardon My French , but it isn't really a "Dirty Word", as you've always been taught. Don't believe me, well read further below, the whole story behind its - Beginnings. Actually the term began "Popping Up" sometime in the early 14th century, where it was discovered in some old museum records from an ancient - cargo shipping company. Back then, it was still called - fertilizer, or Dung and Manure, even when Dried, or formed into large bales, for shipment to other ports, cities and countries. And often some types of the stuff, like "Bat Guano" for example. was highly valued because people needed a lot of it. Not only to grow - food, but also to grow certain crops - for livestock, or to raise a certain type of flower or fruit tree's, being things that were highly prized by royalty and people of great wealth. Often certain types, couldn't be found in a country, due to it climate, of land and meant it had to be shipped, by many companies - all over the new world. The price of the stuff, depending a lot upon its "Nitrogen Content" and other less desired materials, as to its worth. But because it couldn't always be found, just any place, it was pure - Gold, to ancient day - farmers. And when ship - load ( pardon the pun ) = arrived, it was more valuable then Salt, Dried Meat, or Fruits & vegetables. And as anyone knows, - it makes if it gets - WET, it smells Awful ..... Not to mention the methane gas - it creates, which can Explode! And all it took was an crewmen - with an oil lamp, or candle = opening a ships water soaked - cargo hold, to see what smelled, to ignite things and lose the entire ship. And back in those days - as they often say, people shipped everything - Together, because ships were small and cargo space wasn't a premium. So you couldn't be to particular, what was piled, beside it, or on top - of it, either. So long as the ships hold was crammed - full and it made a profit, who cared about the smell. So cargo companies finally had to do something to improve how and where - things were stored aboard ships, and devised a system of "Tags or Markings or Terms, which were placed on different these materials to help keep them in better condition - where moisture - hopefully wouldn't effect them. And so the term = "Store High In Transit" or = S - H - I - T was born, and manure forever became known by that same phrase and today is still though to be a foul mouth- curse word. According to good clean folk, with a religious background and good upbringing, whom don't go looking up - such words, so see where they came from? So now you know ( as they say ), the rest of the story ..... But if you don't - believe me, just look it up - Yourself! Here are a few more "Terms & Phrases" used on Rivers Bar ('s ) ... A short term - for Sandbar ('s ), being sand that constantly moves - by current, shaped piled along banks and arranged into what are called - Sandbars ... Or Expressed, as a Bar. Bird Dog ('s ) ... a comical phrase, pilots use to describe their crewmen working out on tows. Always "On- Watch", for trouble as the pilot makes close- in maneuvers. Talking to him on radios, or via the intercom system on the tow. And if you listen to the marine band on a police scanner or marine radio, you might hear a pilot - say .. "I got the Bird Dogs - On Point!".... As a reference to his deckhands, watching for something or reporting something to him, that's - right or wrong! Bulkhead ... A Structure, or Wall of the vessel, or a section of it, or a cross section of the hulls - steel cross members and framework. Burn'un the Beans ... a phrase referring to the amount of smoke coming from a vessels - Main Exhaust Stack ('s ). When the engines are worked - Hard, or throttled - up quickly to Full Power, often producing a thick, black - Smoke. Especially from "Alco Diesel" engines, which burn "Bunker C" fuel oil, being a very thick - molasses like, type of almost raw crude oil, which must be pre- heated in order to burn properly in that version of large - diesel engine. Bumping Bottom ... a term explaining what happens when hulls, rub or strike the river bottom or object seen or unseen. This happens often, as vessels works near shallow water, like the riverbank for example. Often causing damage to steering, the wheels - or props, as their called, including the hulls of Barges or Boats, in either case. Chamber - or Lock Chamber ... The area inside a lock, is called the chamber, where boats and barges - enter or exit, to wait the lock to raise or lower with water and gravity, as power. "Said Chambers - are entry /exit points, called the - UPPER or LOWER - Gates of the chamber! Coming Ahead ... This phrase is used when a pilot, for example, is talking by radio to another pilot or person, or an means that he is - moving the throttles - Forward, or coming ahead on the engines. as some say also say. Another example, a pilot is trying to maneuver a tow, and says over the radio.... "I'm Coming Ahead - On It!" ... Meaning he's shove'un the engine throttles - Forward, to move the tow as is required and wants his crew to expect it. Often heard in general communications - between boats, working tows or going through - locks. Cook ... a term for a crewman ( Man Or Woman ), that prepares meals aboard vessels. Usually a woman, highly trained and experienced in preparing foods a crew likes. But can also be a Man, with the same skills, with years of experience. Good cooks - are hard to find, and hard come by, - as they say. And crewmen will do almost anything. to keep a good cook - they like. And bad ones, don't last long and fired, because keeping boat crews - happy, is all important to a companies profits and success. FURTHER NOTE ..... Women Cooks, are usually nice little old lady's that everyone calls - Mom, out of respect for her years of experience keeping everybody - well fed on boats. But these nice lil old gals, are "Nobody To Fool With", unless you want to find out who - Really Runs Things. 2nd to nobody, except the Cap'n - himself, I've seen pilots - accidentally bump a lock wall, then watched as a few seconds later, a ruined cake in the oven, sent the cook = upstairs to express her thoughts to the pilot. Ever watched 110 pounds of 5 ft tall - Pure Dynamite in her late 60's, make 6 + foot Man, shake in his Boots like a kid that just got caught tracking mud - on Momma's Floor? Well all I can say - Is, Brother, It Ain't Perty!` Boiler Deck ... a term from the main deck - on a steamboat, or vessel, where the boiler or engines = are located within the structures. Also a reference to the = engine room and where its located!. Bulls Nose ... the rounded end- or farthest most part of a concrete wall, or "Short or Long - Wall", on a Lock & Dam - Chamber. The Bull Nose - is called this, because of its angled or rounded shapes, which look similar to a Bulls Nose, designed to deflects a barge, if it strikes it. Located a few feet away from the gates or entrance points - at either end, of a lock chamber, usually marked with Caution Yellow - Slashed Angle Lines, as Guide Markers. Dinner Bucket or Lunch Bucket ... a term referring to small boats and work vessels - used locally around harbors and large shipping or delivery points. Such boats - either have no "Crews Quarters Or Galley" Aboard, or these items aren't being used to reduce the boats operational costs. Therefore its crew works - in shifts and bring their own meals ( In Dinner Buckets ), thus the term meaning. Example of a multi-duty vessel - being called a Dinner Bucket, is a fully equipped Trip Boat. Which is used locally with reduced crew ( Pilot & 1 or 2 Deckhands ), but is fully equipped and capable of taking long trips - if needed. Driving a Tow ... a term meaning - to push barges, at full speed, through and/or over a sandbar, for example. To get past or over an object or area, and a term used to describe cross currents or cross winds, when pilots must get the tow - moving faster, to overcome these forces in bad areas. Eye Ball's ... Slang term for "Spot Lights & Field Glasses" and also reference to radar. Example - when a pilots - at night, is talking to an other boat, he might say - "I got my "Eye Ball" on Ya!" Meaning he's watching the vessel with the Radar, his eye's or Field Glasses. Another example, would be the following - sometimes used to when scantly clad ladies on pleasure boats, are sighted. Where a radio conversation may find somebody saying ... "Hey! ... Get Yer - "Eye Balls - ON" ... And check that Well Stuffed - Bikini, a riding that Cabin Cruiser!" Flying Bridge / or Bridge ... a small area or walkway, which extends outward from the deck of the helm, called a Bridge or Flying Bridge, because its extends outward and further than the norm deck widths of the boat. Also called the Captains Bridge sometimes, where pilots get a better view over the sides of the vessel, to maneuver the boat or its tow! Fog or "Shut Out" - Fog ... often builds - Suddenly on rivers, during cool mornings and evenings in very hot weather. The river being - much warmer, causing the cold air to form - a Very Thick Fog. Halting - all barge traffic on rivers, till it clears .... A Shut Out - Fog .... Is So Thick, you can't see your hand stretched - Before You! Flanking ... another term for "Flanking Rudders", mounted ahead of the propellers. Used to steer the towboat in reverse, their use can also expressed - such as "Flanking a Tow! Meaning the pilot is using the flanking rudders or steering in reverse, away from or around something. Gun Sight ... A term describing the "Blight Blue" tow light, on the center - lead barge, which the tow is like a gun barrel to the pilot, which he aims through a bridge - for example. Pilots use this "Bright Blue" - light bulb ( mounted atop the tows = Banner Flag = Mast ), as a sight to aim the barges, when their steering at night. Thus the meaning for this phrase! Glider Pilot ... term I've heard used, when a pilot is going up or downstream - over shallows. where they build up speed and then idle - or glide across the shallow spot. Attempting to avoid the vessel bumping bottom or the tow going aground and getting stuck. Often this can get boats through an area causing problems, during low water conditions. And is a trick many pilots try - depending on their skills and power of the boats, where sometimes it succeeds and sometimes doesn't and they get - Stuck & go aground! Head Deck ... the forward most part of the Main Deck - Or BOW, of the boat, is called a HEAD DECK. Hump ... a term for water rolling over unseen objects: A large Tree stump, Rock or other objects. Where the water rises upwards and over it. Currents build humps often around or nearby bridge piers, or in fast moving shallows with narrowing channels. Causing empty barges to slide off - said "Hump", to one or the other side, as they pass over the hump. This can cause a wreck, breaking tow lines and does serious damage to the tow - if it slides off and hits something nearby. An experienced pilot can see a hump - a long way off, or he better know where their likely to occur and avoid them. A constant danger, loaded barges aren't as easily effected - by such things. Ice Jam or Log Jam ... a section of winter ice, that's broken loose, then logged again and built into a large collection of Ice, possibly against a Bridge Pier - for example, Broken & re-froze into larger forms that collect as they go downstream, causing the river to back up - behind them, like a dam. A Highly dangerous area to be around, if the ice brakes - Loose, and known to wreck fleets, boats and docks in their paths. The Corps of Engineers or Coast Guard usually dynamites - Dangerous Ice Jams / log jams, to reduce them from forming into dangerous sizes. Log jams usually occur after spring rains flood the river and log jams, build up behind the dam, which must be removed. Jewelry or River Jewelry ... a term for tools crewmen use, including winches, ratchets, cables, lines, and all things related to equipment used on to riverboats. Piles of ice-couplings, used to couple barges together in winter - for example, are called "Jewelry" by the men. Another old steamboat term, that's been continued by traditions on rivers. Jumping Boat ... a term or phrase in conversations, meaning a crewman has changed boats, or moved to another vessel. During the summer, many pilots and crew men - stay out for months, before going home for a rest period to make extra money or releive other men.. A normal shift aboard, depends on the companies policy which is usually between 15 & 30 days - On Board, with 15 to 30 days - Off Duty, at home. Sometimes companies ask men - to Jump Boat, when another crewman on the other vessel - must leave, due to illness, or home emergency's. (((( Not to be confused with the seagoing term of Jumping Ship, meaning a crewman has left - without permission of the Captain, possibly a mutiny act! )))) Knee ( 's n) or Tow Knee ... the Huge Push Plates mounted on the forward - bow of the boat, used to adjust the boat, between "Empty or Loaded" Barges, for pushing them. Can also be located on the stern, then their called - Stern Knee's. Knowledge Box ... an old steamboat term, describing the "Pilot House" or Helm. If you don't have the know-how to be in the helm, your just a visitor! Knock Out or Knocking Out ... a term used by "Helper Boat - Pilot's" when assisting a larger tow, meaning they are going to quit ( Remove their lines ) and let the barge tow continue its trip ... Example radio conversation ... "Ok Capt'n, I'll Knock Out and let ya go...."Have a good trip!" Landing ... a term associated with a special spot on a river, where barges and boats park, or land the tow. A landing is usually found near to most any river town, or a dock. Landing A Tow ... a term used when parking the boat or barges, against the bank ( as gently as possible! ). Also associated with high winds that force tows to be blown off coarse, striking banks or objects. Pilots always try to avoid a forced landing, even in bad weather, or in high wind conditions, which sometimes the landing is a bit rougher than just a Bump - in a major ordeal! LEFT / RIGHT - HIP ... The Side of the vessel = Port meaning LEFT, Starboard meaning RIGHT side of the vessel. Often used as a term, when lashing a barge to the side of a boat, its hip is nearest the stern! Long Wall ... The longest wall - on a lock, which a tow uses to line itself-up, to enter or exit the lock. Mule Train - Tow ... Seldom done, except in winter ice, but back in the 50's and during earlier days in heavy winter ice, barges couldn't be pushed through "Thick Ice". So towboats lashed barges "End to End" with short tow lines between each one and pulled them. Called a Mule Train - Tow, it caused great delays at locks, but was sometimes the only way for tows to get through the ice, where the tow had to regrouped into strings to enter locks. Meals or Chow ... three square meals daily, which include snacks made by them or the cook, when allowed by the cook.. No crewman ever uses terms - like Garbage, or Slop, as a reference to the food or its taste, in whatever cooks prepare. Regardless of whether they like it - Or Not, while Its OK to just - say, "I don't care much for - That", but thanks anyway!" No matter what the cook - makes, you never insult meals - Or them, since the cook is unofficially the highest ranking person aboard, under the pilots. Why? ... Just insult one sometime, and you'll see a nice little old lady, change in a split second, to a monster - even the Captain - Fears!" Tow ... Any number of Barges ( 1 or More ), are called a tow. When lashed together, or coupled to the boat, called a Tow. Its term originates from the earliest use of barges, with steamboats! Tow Head ... Meaning the "Head of a Barge or Barges, the leading forward Bow, no matter the number of barges in the tow, or their widths & length .... The Tow Head is the Forward - Most Barge or Barges in the tow! Shoals ... A term for shallow waters - having rocks & other debris, best avoided. Often found near the inside edges of swift waters, and often hidden and known to lurk in calm waters too. Well known by their usual locations, from pilot experience. Noted on river maps and charts, by their usual positions, depths and relationships to currents and updated conditions, by marine radio reports. String - Tow or String ... a term for any number of barges, when lashed together - End To End, in fashions. For example, a standard 15 barge tow, consists of three strings of barges. Each string having 5 barges, for a total of 15 barges - in all, as a standard size loaded barge - tow, for upper rivers. The Hip, or Towing from the Hip ... a term used when a barge is lashed to the side of boats, meaning its towing a barge or from the Hip. An old Steamboat phrase - still in use today! Watch ... a term for the time, when crewmen are On - Duty, or called Off Watch, when they are relaxing or sleeping. Working in shifts, usually periods of 6 hours in length, with 4 shifts in a twenty four hour period. Crewmen spend two - six hour shifts - On Duty, and 2 shifts - Off Duty, except in emergencies or adverse conditions when everybody works. The Pot's - On! ... Seldom does one not recognize - this phrase, meaning the "Coffee's Ready", but shouldn't be confused with the other phrase ... "ON THE - POT!" Everybody understands what that means- I Hope! ... If Not, see the below phrase - THE HEAD! The Head ... Oddly enough, this term has several meanings, but usually is a reference to the tow - head or leading barges of a tow. And its - more obvious meaning, as a reference to the Bathroom on a Boat. Where many boats carry a hidden bathroom ( Called - A Head ), located and often hidden under the helm - couch or sofa. Naturally its for the pilot's - use, whenever nature calls, since they can't leave the helm. That - is, unless someone relieves them at the controls for a moment, to answer natures call. Note ... If one hears a radio conversations between boats, sometimes somebody might say - "I'm steering - "On The Pot" .... Meaning just what ya think. Realizing folks - usually don't discuss - such things, in public. I mentioned this, simply because I've heard conversations between boats, where crewmen explained what they were doing - IN GREAT DETAIL ... In my opinion, a bit more information than - you or I really wanted or needed to know! Reading the River ... a term from early steamboats, which pilot's through experience, learn to read what the river - is doing. Where its building Sandbars - or Moving Obstructions - for example. Or where rock ledges are located, whether its in "High or Low Water Conditions", as another example and must be avoided. Also relates to navigating around, through or over other objects, bridges or body of water, knowing the areas - trait characteristics, under any condition of weather, day or night. Rub Bumper / Bumper's or Fenders ... a hand woven "Rope Bumper" crewmen make from old rope lines, with a Fid. Looking like a huge - wooden needle, which is used by crewmen to weave rope into the shape of a rope - bumper. Often new "Bumpers" as their called, are dragged in the water to harden them, behind the towboat as often seen things. Always being replaced from wear and tear, the crew use Bumpers on Barges or Boats, when entering locks. As cushions against damage, if the tow bumps something - a concrete wall for example, To Hard. Rubbing Elbows ... A phrase associated with meals - where crewmen talk and enjoy a few moments of good natured conversation with one another. Or visiting crewmen & pilots from another boat, or when they join another crew for a meal, and as they say = "Rubbing Elbows" at the table. SADDLE BAGGED ... A term used when currents around a bridge - for example, cause the tow to be sucked-into it, striking the bridge or other objects. Where the tow is "Wrapped Around" a Bridge Pier - for example, which is called getting - Saddle Bagged! Sliding a Tow ... a term which means the pilot will slide the tow - Sideways or at angles in maneuvering. To slide a tow, when working it through narrow twisting channels. Noting - You don't steer Barges, "You Slide Them!" Smoke'n ... a term often used to describe a river, or a section of it, where higher than normal current speeds are encountered. Such as - after hard rains, where a river will raise suddenly and increases its speed. Said currents - Smoke'n, or very fast & swift, hard to Navigate especially where the channel - narrows. These points increase current speeds to sometimes faster than 10 miles per hour, being very dangerous encounters. Snag ... A Tree ( floating with its "Roots" pointing - Upstream, which was ripped from the bank and has lodged itself on a sandbar, or is still Floating - Downstream. Often unseen on the surface once their water soaked and sink. The damage - they do, sending many old wooden hull steamboats to the bottom, along with Steel Hulled - Boats TOO. Also called one of several types of so- called "Hull Inspectors" in River slang - as well! Sewer Trout ... A borrowed term in reference to "Carp" being "What's on the Menu" for the crews - next meal. The "Sewer part - of this term, refer's to the river and its conditions, because of debris and junk that's been dumped into our rivers, including toxic wastes. This term can also mean the fish were also caught, by one of the crew - as well! Sucking Mud ... a phrase meaning the boat - is close to the bottom, or in very shallow water and sucking mud from the bottom. This worries pilot's and crewmen as to what might be sucked into the Wheels = Props? ..... Logs or other debris - for example, that could damage the vessel? Sueg the Boat ... a term possibly from early steam days, from early Cajun -folk's of that era, who worked on steamboats. Term describes the duty of washing or cleaning the vessel. Similar to the ocean term - "Swab The Decks", except on rivers, you say - "Sueg the boat!" Tandem - Pushing or Double Push'un ... a term or phrase used when two boats are used to push a barge tow, for example, when pushing barges through "Heavy Ice" with two boats assist one another. Here the boats may be set up - Side by side on stern of the tow to push barges, or the boats may face up - One Behind the Other to push harder. Can also refer to periods when a smaller "Helper Boat is assisting the tow, faced up to the tow head. Steering the head of the tow through a narrow point, bridge or during tight maneuvers. Top Around or Getting - Topped Around ... is a term where the tow & boat, swing 180 degree's or completely around in the river, to travel in the other direction. And often the tow is assisted by a "Helper Boat" in this maneuver. Also can be related to the above mentioned term - Hump,- a term where the tow & boat, swing 180 degree's or completely around in the river, to travel in the other direction. And often the tow is assisted by a "Helper Boat" in this maneuver. Also can be related to the above mentioned term - Hump, when you don't want this to happen! Wheels ... a steamboat term for - Propellers, "Original River Slang" as a reference to the "Paddle Wheel" on steamboats, also used to describe the propellers on modern boats. _______________________________________________________________
Terms for Fittings & Equipment Hand Line ... A small rope usually of some 30' lengths - or more, crewmen carry and throw to assist them to in docking or passing locks. May have a small rubber ball - woven into one end of the line, to direct its path, when the line - is tossed to others. Wire ( 's ) ... a term for the "Steel Cables" that run from the boat, or barge, when its lashed together, into what is called - A TOW. Example - the Deck Winch - Cables are called lines or wires, either called a Facing or Backing Wire, in versions, depending upon their location on the boat. Facing Wire ( 's ) .... are the lines or wires coming out of a Deck Winch, which are the first set of wires - on either side of the vessel, to be connected to a barge, or Tow of them. Backing Wire ( 's ) ... are wires coming from the Backing wire - winches, which are the last wires to be placed and couple the tow and boat together. These wires are located further back - amidships, to compensate for the twisting a boat does, when in maneuvering the tow. They further strengthen the bond between the boat and tow, because they hold the boat firmly, while its going astern or Backing in maneuvering with barges. These winch system 9 Backing & Facing - Winches, can be located all on the Head Deck, or divided along the sides of a vessels - hull, and may make several loops around fittings, before they return to the vessel to be lashed to a deck fitting. Working like a multiple pulley - in effects, the wires are used to hold things - together, while in transport. Life Boat ... often called the "Crews Boat" , its use if for deliveries of crewmen to the bank or to the boat, when crew changes or supplies are needed. A called a Dingy, which is more of a salty term, which is not often used - on rivers. Life Boat - BOOM ..... Or called just - a Boom, meaning the crane or small lifting crane, used to lift and lowers the life boat or other equipment - in or out of the water. NOTE .... Can also be called a Swing Boom, Hoist & Boom and sometime - Davit Boom. Line ( 's ) ..... a term for rope's, used to tie off - the boat or tow along banks and docks. Usually a very thick "Hemp or Heavy" grade of weather resistant woven nylon / fiberglass Rope. Able stretch to tremendous lengths, before the line - parts or breaks. Mast ... A pole or mounting used for Flags, Navigation Lights / Radar - Etc. Mooring Buoy ... A buoy often anchored to the river bottom, used around Locks & Dams, when tows are waiting lockage. A Floating Object, with a fitting ( Ring ), to tie the tow off, as the boat waits its turn, Pump ( 's ) .... usually a small gasoline or small diesel powered - Portable Water Pump .... Used to pump out barges - called Leaker's, usually stored on the Head Deck of the boat, when not in use. Can also refer to the boats - Pump Systems too! Ratchet or Binder's ( Called River Jewelry ) ... a fitting with locking couplings at both ends, with a screw ratchet to shorten or lengthen by threaded couplings, each of its ends. Used to tighten wires on barges, using a cheater pipe on boats, or to couple barges. Often called - Jewelry or River Jewelry by the crew, its the equipment used by the boat, to couple barges together and to the vessel Timber Head ... a steamboat term, used to describe a Bitt or Double Bitt's on Barges & Boats, in early times, that were made of solid timbers. Or their modern steel counterparts, which are still traditionally called = Such Things! Testing - A Wire, or Line ( 's ) .... Is a term meaning a pilot - will stretch or test the limits of wires and lines, lashing tows together. Not something ordinarily done, but sometimes it happens when boats are maneuvering hard - against currents or cross winds under adverse conditions. Here lines & wires can suddenly snap and tows - break apart, causing cargo damage or Worse - if they strike something. So occasionally pilot - tests things, to insure they will hold fast, using the engines to add pressure against them to see if they part or separate. Naturally, with everybody - clear, for safety, in case the line- blows apart with explosive force! Hatch ... A door, entry or Exit - way into structures or entry going down into a vessel. Example = Inspection Hatch, not to be confused with the drinking term - "Down The Hatch!" Lid or Lids ... A cover over a barge cargo-box, is sometimes called a Lid Cover, which is removed for loading or unloading by a crane. Made of steel or fiberglass, in types found used on barges! Pike Pole ... A long pole with a hook - at one end, used to grad objects = ropes or lines, in the water! ________________________________________________________________
Last Updated On
06/29/23 .
With
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A Typical 600
foot "Lock & Dam - with a 15 barge
- Loaded Tow, in the middle of locking-through = As Its Called. The
1st section of barges = Or 1st Cut of 9 Barges , have been locked
through and are now tied off to the lower end of the long wall. The
remaining ( 6 ) barges & boat = 2nd Cut, are preparing to enter the lock
in this photo. The entire procedure usually takes about an Hour & 45
Minuets, to fully complete. And once completed - the tow will proceed
down-river to the next lock, then repeat the same process until it
reaches the fleet or its destination. NOTE = The water between dams
on rivers, are called "Pools". Any water above the dam, is called the
Upper Pool, and water below the dam, is always called the Lower Pool.
And some boats operate between - such points, or between pools and often
are called "Pool Boats", because they stay in these areas during an
entire season. 
TM