IAGenWeb - Scott County
MISSISSIPPI RIVER FOLK BACKGROUND
VETAL BURROW Other Mild Winters Recalled here by Old Time Rivermen
Attempt Made To Bring Ice Raft Down Mississippi
By Capt Walter A. Blair
Captains Hawthorne and Tromley engaged Vetal Burrow and a few others willing to take a chance and proceeded to get out a raft of ice to fulfill their contract. They sawed out a section about the size of a half city block and fitted up and hung large oars on each by which they could keep it in or near the channel. They borrowed a check line and a raft skiff from Captain Sam Van Sant with which to land and tie up at East Davenport.
This adventure aroused great interest and caused much comment in Le Claire and fully one quarter of the population were on the bank to see the start and cheer them when they "Let go for Davenport".
There were a few doubters and some predictions of disaster but Hawthorne, Tromley and Burrow were raftsman of experience and reputation and the great majority were confident of their success.
The oars worked all right and the raft of ice responded readily to their pulling and the crew were ready to take bets. She will make it all right, but when she struck the swift water and then the strong eddy on Smith's chain the bow took a dive-the water came up over the head block and all the bow crew but Burrow let go their oars and ran aft, just in time, for she broke clear across and the broke in other places and in less than a minute the raft was just several cakes of ice rapidly separating in the swirling currents and eddies.
When the first crack was heard all made for the skiff, hauled out near the stern, and reached it in time all except Burrow who hung on to his oar at the bow-went down in water above his knees until the cake came up and the water drained off.
The heavy check line and the crew were all the skiff would carry. They carefully worked to the Iowa shore near the mouth of Sycamore creek, moved the check line out on the bank and then three men, two to row and one steering, stared to rescue Burrow. His cake had taken the suck was down near Hampton when they got him. Burrow pretty well chilled but not at all frightened gave the rescue party the Canadian laugh and said "What's de matter you fellar?" I go deal more further den any of you. You brought one or two dem oars wit you I take my piece to Stubb's Eddy all right sure thing.
They had a long hard row back home. The others had preceded them on foot and Le Claire had a topic for conversation that evening.
The idea was all right, but very mild weather during the three days spent in preparation had weakened the ice. Made it porous and it broke easily. But no one tried it again.
Source: Davenport Democrat and Leader, Davenport, Ia., 14 Feb 1932.
Walter Blair speaking:
With our boat repaired, painted and fitted she passed a fine annual United States inspection and on orders from Manager Van Sant I got coal and provisions aboard and left LeClaire for Beef Slough on the night of April17, 1882. I had Vetal Burrow, a French-Canadian as my pilot; the engineers. Shannon and Lancaster, previously mentioned, James Shannon, mate, with seven good men on deck. Two men to be watchmen and (derogatory racial slur removed) runners and two firemen, composed the operating crew.Source: A Raft Pilot's Log , Blair, Walter A., Arthur H. Clark Company, 1929, p. 140.