'Late and insufficient' rudder cited in allision, 30-barge breakaway

摘要

After rounding a bend in the Mississippi River north of Thebes, Ill., the pilot of the down-bound Michael G. Morris prepared the vessel and its 30-barge tow for another curve followed by a railroad bridge. But as the vessels approached the Thebes Railroad Bridge at mile marker 43.7, the tow didn't respond as expected. The third barge on the port side hit a support pier and all 30 barges broke away. The bridge and towboat weren't damaged, but two of the barges sank. Total losses were estimated at $850,000.