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January 20, 2004

Madison Coal & Supply: Tradition and Leadership on the Inland Waterways

"The older pre-1970 boats were built with heavier framing and have greater longevity," explains Nelson Jones of Madison Coal & Supply located on the Kanawha River at Charleston West Virginia. That is part of the reason that his firm made the decision to repower their 1945-built push boat the 145 by 27-foot Fred Way. The boat has its original Kort 19A nozzles but has gone through three sets of engines in its 59 years. Her original engines were a pair of direct reversing Cooper Bessemer JS8 that turned at only 310 RPM. In 1977 they were replaced with geared 12V149 Detroits which were replaced in turn in 1997 with a pair of 16V 149 on a new Twin Disc 5301 5:1 gears.

Now, in a major upgrade, the boat is getting a pair of Cummins KTA38 M1 main engines each delivering 1000 HP at 1800 RPM. The Twin Disc 5301 gears will be retained, but the original mild-steel nozzles are worn out. These will be replaced with Corning Townsent designed CT27 nozzles with stainless steel interior faces. Modern and efficient 67x57 five-blade new generation props have been fabricated to a Corning Townsent design to replace the original four-blade props. "We provide crewed vessels for contract towing to barge owners," explains Jones, "The fuel and power efficiencies of the Cummins engines and the nozzles makes these boats attractive and competitive."

The Madison Coal and Supply company is well known for their combination of tradition and innovation. Their fleet of 28 vessels includes four sternwheelers, one of which is a passenger vessel with the other three being towboats. These are of particular value in the firm’s shallow water construction work. "With a stern wheeler, we can work a 500 HP boat in only 2.5 feet of water," says Jones.

The company fleet will continue their repower program that started with their small harbour tugs getting Cummins N14s. A second boat will get the Cummins KTA38s later this year. The company has some Cummins KTA19s in construction equipment and will put the marine version of this engine in their mid-range towboats as required.

This is a company that is known for the way it operates a unique and highly successful fleet of vessels at the same time it is noted for giving back to the river community. Company founder Charlie Jones was honoured with a Lifetime Achievement Award by the Seaman’s Church Institute last year. At the award ceremony the Rev. Dr. Jean R. Smith, Executive Director of the Seamen’s Church Institute, said, "Charlie Jones loves the river. He has devoted a lifetime to promoting our waterways not only as a place for commerce, but has also worked actively to preserve its unique history and protect its fragile environment."

This commitment to good boats and to the inland waterways is continued by Charlie’s son Nelson who sent boats over 300 miles downstream to participate in the 2003 Cincinnati Tall Stacks celebration to teach the land dwellers about the importance of the inland waterways, not only as American heritage but as the future for environmentally sensitive transport of goods.

For more information or photos of Madison Coal and Supply Company vessels contact:

Mr. Nelson Jones
President
Madison Coal & Supply
No.2 Port Amherst Drive
Charleston, West Virginia
Phone: 304 926 1142
E-mail: Njones@Citynet.net

For more information on the Seaman’s Church Awards: http://www.seamenschurch.org/rb.htm

For more information on Cummins Marine Engines:

Geoff Conrad
North American Commercial Marine
Sales Manager
Cummins Marine
4500 Leeds Avenue
Suite 301
Charelston, SC 29405-8521 USA
Phone: 843 745 1585
Fax: 843 745 1549
E-Mail: Geoff.Conrad@Cummins.com

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