The University Press of Mississippi is the scholarly publishing agency of the Mississippi Institutions of Higher Learning: Alcorn State University, Delta State University, Jackson State University, Mississippi State University, Mississippi University for Women, Mississippi Valley State University, University of Mississippi, and University of Southern Mississippi.
www.upress.state.ms.us
The University Press of Mississippi is a member of the Association of University Presses.
Designed by Todd Lape
All photographs by Melody Golding
Copyright 2019 by Melody Golding
Photographs Melody Golding
All rights reserved Printed in China
First printing 2019
Library of Congress Cataloging-in-Publication Data
Names: Golding, Melody, author, photographer.
Title: Life between the levees : Americas riverboat pilots / Melody Golding.
Description: Jackson : University Press of Mississippi, [2019] | All photographs by Melody Golding. | First printing 2019. | Includes index.
Identifiers: LCCN 2018037093 (print) | LCCN 2018053839 (ebook) | ISBN 9781496822857 (epub single) | ISBN 9781496822864 (epub institutional) | ISBN 9781496822871 (pdf single) | ISBN 9781496822888 (pdf institutional) | ISBN 9781496822840 (cloth : alk. paper)
Subjects: LCSH: Inland navigationUnited States. | River boatsUnited States. | Pilots and pilotageUnited StatesInterviews.
Classification: LCC HE629 (ebook) | LCC HE629 .G65 2019 (print) | DDC 623.88092/273dc23
LC record available at https://lccn.loc.gov/2018037093
British Library Cataloging-in-Publication Data available
This book I affectionately dedicate to my husband and true-life river man, Steve Golding, without whose expertise, unending support, and encouragement, it would never have been written
ACKNOWLEDGMENTS
I would like to give thanks to God for giving me the ability to do this work.
I am deeply thankful to and would like to acknowledge with sincere gratitude the mariners who so generously shared their stories so that others would know and appreciate life on the river.
Furthermore, I am thankful to my publisher, the University Press of Mississippi, and my editor, Craig Gill, who has believed in my work from the very beginning. Many thanks especially to Golding Barge Line Captain Todd Hundley and Mike Gatti, who aided me along the way.
Last and not least I would like to thank my family, Steve, Austin, and John Reid, who have encouraged and supported me through this journey.
May God Bless all of you.
Almighty God our Heavenly Father, Creator of the Universe and Author of Salvation, we give thanks for all of the great rivers which flow from this nation but most especially we give you thanks for the noble Mississippi River and her tributaries which helped propel this nation into greatness. The gift of abundance you provide us through these rivers would be for naught except for the skill and dedication of the American Merchant Mariner. Be pleased to hear us and to let your blessing rest always upon these who plough the rivers of this nation. Reach out your hand to them as you did to blessed Peter when he walked upon the sea. Send a holy angel from on high to watch over them and to aid their navigation. When they have completed their watches, bring them back to their homes and kin where they may, with glad and grateful hearts, be pleased to give you thanks for all things. And finally we pray that when each of us has completed our final watch here on earth that you, in your mercy, will navigate our soul to the everlasting shores of peace and to that quiet harbor of our hearts desire where you live and reign now and forever.