Summing up.

I would like to thank Joy Waters and Ken Brink for their talented help with photos and text editing for this web site. Also I would like to thank Joy Waters, Ken Brink, Harold Sprenger, Melvin Gosnell, Jarrod Waters, Paul Waters, Phil Webb, Carl Tracy, Janet Tracy, Paul Carr, Bill Eagle and others who contributed to this project.

And to my wife Marsha a special "Thank You" for all of the support you have given.

J. C. Waters

We are coming to the beginning of the end of this project. We are finished with the inside of the vessel. The "yet to do list" is now short and includes the sails, gaffs and booms and running rig. Then the start up of all the systems for a final check out. Then we shall be ready to see if she floats.

The schooner will next start what may be its most perilous journey: From our boatyard to the Missouri River,which is our link to the ocean. Oh, did I tell you that we are building the Spirit Of Independence in Independence Missouri. And, no I have not seen any cows wandering up and down the street lately. However Harry Truman the late President of the United States Of America lived just up the street from us. The banks of the Missouri are just 5 miles north of us. Aah! the Missouri River! Considered by many to be the most difficult river in the U. S. to navigate. It runs fast... around 6 knots. During the navigation season the channel is supposed to be 300 feet wide, and a projected depth of 12 feet is the goal of the Corps of Engineers. Well we always hope that is what we will find. The river also bends first one way and then the other. Many of the bends are very sharp. Now don't go ha-ha-ing me, since our boat is only 76 ft from tip to tip. But we will be sharing the river with tow boats. When some of these babes are coming around the bend the lead barge is knocking over the channel markers on the inside of the bend and the stern of the push boat is so close to the bank on the outside of the bend that the prop wash is throwing up a wall of water 8 feet high which sloshes right up on bank. It will be a relief to make it to the gulf of Mexico.....or to the great lakes. As of now, I have not decided which way to turn at Saint Louis.

We are proud of this vessel. We have plied the knowledge and skill we have acquired over the years to offer the best example of our capabilities. But it will be you and others that will judge our efforts. This vessel will be a keeper for us. Once it has been certified the Spirit Of Independence will enter charter service. At this time it looks like the Chesapeake Bay will be the area of operation. The Spirit has been open to tours for some little while now. $5.00 will give you the full walk through, and all your questions answered. The tour also includes an information sheet with picture of the Spirit. If you are in the area you are welcome. The vessel stands in our boat yard at:

Porte Des Voyageurs, Inc.
404 N. Noland Road
Independence, MO. 64050
816 833 3776

From time to time we will up date this site with our progress. If you would like to receive an e-mail from time to time about the Spirit's activities send us an an e-mail and we will add you to our correspondence list.