West Virginia at Robert C. Byrd (Hmm; how appropriate)

Here are some photos I got of the Madison  Coal & Supply towboat West Virginia today at the Robert C. Byrd Locks and Dam, where it was assisting another boat going through the auxiliary lock while the main lock was down for repairs.

Coming next, perhaps: photos of the towboat Mary Ellen Jones near the same spot.

First, the West Virginia in the lower approach to the lock as another boat -- the Orleanian, I think -- was locking downbound.

Here, the West Virginia backs away from the lock with six barges from the Orleanian's tow. In the background is the West Virginia's own tow, which it has secured to the main lock guide wall.

And here, deckhands trade business news, gossip, stock tips or whatever else deckhands talk about when they get together. One thing I'm sure of is that they can't be nearly as big into gossip as newspaper people are.