The Jim Smiley Tugboat, Cave-In-Rock Illinois

Relaxing in retirement on concrete blocks, this Ohio River tugboat sits roadside near the Cave-In-Rock Ferry landing. A bright orange life ring hangs optimistically by the door, ready for a rescue mission that will never come. In this region full of ghost stories and river legends, I had to take a shot at trying to find something on the name. I tried to find a river myth or old timer story about the origins. Maybe even a connection to Mark Twain's Jim Smiley, but tugboats on the Mississippi/Ohio river system are usually named after real people so there is likely no connection. It may not be pushing barges anymore, but it looks like it is still carrying the weight of a thousand river stories. It's worth the time to pull over and give a little salute on Main Street in Cave-In-Rock, IL