The River: The most versatile person on a riverboat crew is the deckhand who has quite a toolkit

By Capt. Don Sanders Special to NKyTribune Perhaps, the most versatile, all-around person on a riverboat crew is the deckhand. They come in all shapes, sizes, colors, degrees of intelligence, and now, sex. Women, as well as men, can occasionally, be seen tossing lines, sooging decks, painting, making locks, and whatever else the mate or…

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The River: Everyone dreams of a paddlewheeler (and there’s much to love), but know they are work

By Capt. Don Sanders Special to NKyTribune Everybody thinks they want a paddlewheeler. “They’re so cute,” someone gushed. Or: “When I win the lottery I’m going to buy me a paddlewheel boat.” But if a rookie dreamer had one, how many would have the faintest clue how much maintenance and upkeep a wooden wheel requires…

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The River: Plenty of tales to tell in whispered tones — some about how to be rid of troublemakers

By Capt. Don Sanders Special to NKyTribune “I killed a couple roustabouts,” the old pilot began with no prompting. The pilothouse, otherwise hushed except for an occasional vibration caused whenever the steamboat found shallow water and labored, abruptly became a confessional for the elderly boatman behind the “sticks” guiding the vessel on the dark and…

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The River: Franko was a drinking man — and there are plenty of memorable stories to tell about him

The riverboat captain is a storyteller, and Captain Don Sanders will be sharing the stories of his long association with the river — from discovery to a way of love and life. This a part of a long and continuing story. By Capt. Don Sanders Special to NKyTribune Franko-the-Capstan-Man, born in Madison, Wisconsin, sailed at…

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