Letter: Keeping River History Alive

For some time now I’ve been meaning to write The Waterways Journal to tell you and Capt. David Smith just how much I have enjoyed the “Old Boat” column. These old boats were certainly an integral part of river history. Capt. Smith’s articles help to keep river history alive with his superbly written and professionally researched series of stories. This is exactly what one would expect from a true professional. I’ve known and worked with Capt. Smith in the past on various river-related projects. Each involvement was a pleasant and rewarding experience for me.

I must say some of those old boats are coming up on my stern pretty fast. I can remember seeing some of them when they were still working. I guess almost 90 birthdays would have something to do with that.

The article in the August 14 issue about the Alice M. Tyler had a special interest for me. My dad, Capt. Arnold Tinkey, worked on her as interim captain shortly after she was launched at St. Louis Ship in 1939.

In 1939 my dad had been hired by Lake Tankers Corporation to be the first master of the mv. Tri Cities, then under construction at St. Louis Ship.

The launch date was delayed several months due to scheduling problems so my dad, who had a young family, needed a job during the delay. He was aware that the Alice M. Tyler was completed, so he contacted the company and was hired as captain on an interim basis until the completion of the Tri Cities.

We lived in Keokuk, Iowa, very close to the lock at that time, and the boat was on a coal run from Alton, Ill., to Davenport, Iowa, so they were locking at Keokuk quite often. Back in those days, boat crews didn’t get paid days off, so they stayed on most of the time. I can remember going to the lock with my mom when the Alice M. Tyler was locking through to wave at Dad. That was the only way we would get to see him for several months.

David, you ask about the color of the boat. I don’t know about it when she got older, but, when new, she was painted dark green with orange trim. As a kid, I thought that was a pretty cool color.

Thanks, and well done, Capt. Smith and The Waterways Journal.

An Old Friend,

Jerry Tinkey