RAFT-BOAT MATES
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Many of those who were mates on the earlier raft boats picked up the river
and got so they could stand a watch day or night going up river and
were able to get a pilot’s license. It was harder to get even a little practice running a raft down stream, but a few of them did become regular raft pilots and are in that list.
Among those who distinguished themselves as mates and were known as
good ones, I recall:
John Suiter, now captain and pilot of the "LeClaire.'
James Lyons, now in poultry farming, Albany, Illinois.
Del Shaw, now living in Princeton, Iowa.
C.W. Schricker, now living in Davenport.
Peter Reese, living at Victoria, Wisconsin.
Edward Johnson, living in Rock Island, Illinois.
Louis Freneau, living in Rock Island, Illinois.
John McMahon, of Clinton, Iowa.
Herman Johnson, of Winona.
George Budde of Winona.
John McCarty, of Galena.
Joe LaReveire, of Wabasha.
Chas. Rook, of Princeton.
Thos. Maley, of LeClaire.
Thos. Kennedy, of LeClaire.
Henry Tweisel, of LeClaire.
Henry Massman, of LeClaire.
John Bailey, of LeClaire.
John Elliott, of LeClaire.
James Shannon, of LeClaire.
George Senthouse, of LeClaire.
Wm. Babatz, of Albany.
Louis Babatz, of Albany.
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Albert Babatz, of Albany.
Don Buckingham, of LaCrosse.
Wm. Kerrigan, of Rock Island.
Harry Adams, of Rock Island.
John Lund, living in Clinton and in service as master and pilot of the
steamer 'Artemus Gates' in sand and gravel business.
Wm. Boldt, living in Davenport, retired.
James Shannon was my mate on the 'Last Chance,' my first command.
I have never seen a brighter, keener, tougher, healthier man in all these
years. He took interest and pride in his work and always had a good job.
I have great consideration for a good mate. He has the care of the
steamer; to see that she is kept clean and trim, and also that fuel is
supplied regularly to the firemen.
He must take good care of his entire kit for the raft and have it all
overhauled every trip going up river. he must get the raft in good shape to
start with and then get his crew out frequently to change and tighten up
the lines to keep her straight.
Then to split for bridges in the night and to couple up and move the boat
over quickly and without any hitch required skill and management, where
holding the wrong line or letting go the wrong one or the right one too soon
means trouble and delay.
Then he must exercise great tact in handling his crew, maintaining control
and fair discipline, while sustaining his reputation for being 'square'
and a 'good fellow.'
HISTORY