WORKING BOATS ON THE THREE RIVERS

The Principo

All work and no play is not the case with this shot of the Prince at the Three Rivers Regatta sometime in the mid 1980's. Later in the day The Prince partisapated in a push pull contest with the tow boat Alcosan. It was really no contest with the Prince being a bigger boat and the Alcosan having a service barge attached to it, but it was fun to watch as the Prince spun the Alcosan around and pushed it down river. Copyright Don Henderson 2001.

Years ago I had the opertunity to meet Bob Brown, a likable riverman and owner of Bob Brown towing. Bob owned several tow boats, barges, derrick boats and cranes. He operated his River salvage business on the Allegheny River from a landing in Blawnox, PA. Bob was a regular customer at a resturant that my wife worked at. On several occasions I got to ride on Bob's tow boat the Principio. The "Prince" is a well maitained tow boat with twin Wakashaw diesel V8's.

One saturday we were invited to spend a day on the Principo at the Three Rivers Regatta with Bob, his family and friends. They decorated the Prince with streamer and ribbons, loaded her up with food and drink and away we went. It was a great day and a most unique way to see the regatta. A good time was had by all.

One afternoon while walking across the 6th Street Bridge, I saw the Principo and a derrick boat below the bridge. The next thing I know, there's Bob Brown climbing out of the river in a wet suit. I found out later from Bob that they were salvaging a cable that ran accross the Allegheny.

Click photo to view larger image. Photos Copyright Don Henderson 2001.

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