Celebrating our 140th (Or 135th Maybe) Year And Our Shared Legacy

This edition of The Waterways Journal marks the beginning of Volume 140.

The publication’s beginnings are somewhat mysterious. The first edition under the name “The Waterways Journal” is dated April 9, 1882, for example. Prior to that it was The River, and our records only extend as far back as August 29, 1881.

But there is a lot that we do know, and a lot that is very much the same as it was in 1882. Much of that is thanks in large part to the work of James Swift, who joined The Waterways Journal after World War II and continued with us for half a century. Swift was a recipient of several prestigious awards, was an early board member of industry associations and maybe most fondly is known for being the first author of our Old Boat Column. Have you seen the “Barge-It” logo sticker? Well, the inspiration was Jim Swift’s license plate. If you measure a riverman by service and love of the profession, then he was without a doubt a riverman through and through. Capt. Donald T. Wright, H. Nelson Spencer (and his father and son – author of this week’s editorial), along with former and current staff have aspired to be the same.

Our passion for serving you, our subscriber, is the same as 1882. Just like the captain who was inspired to work on the river by a parent or grandparent, we are inspired by our past.

Our editorial focus is in many ways the same as it was in 1882. In that inaugural year, we published the following:

“The policy of this paper will be antagonistic to nobody. Politics will not be tolerated. We do not claim to know how to improve the big Mississippi and want no special appropriation.”

It is difficult at times not to sound political, especially in the only opinion section we produce, this editorial page, but we continue to give it our best. We advocate for proper spending and against overly burdensome regulation, and we try to celebrate those who do the same, regardless of political affiliation.

Our value, in the face of our sensationalized digital news and distracting social media age, is at its core the same. We share the news without trying to influence. We build community and connect honestly and without distraction to the products, services and opportunities our articles and advertisements share. We encourage pride in the profession, and we connect the next generation with the history and benefits of joining your ranks. For some, we simply provide a short break from the outside world that can seem chaotic to the best of us.

We are not the same. We have evolved since 1882, just as operations on and along our waterways have evolved, but we are connected to our past, proud of our contributions, and we are better for it, we think. We are legacy media, and we are proud of it.

What’s next? Well, you will have a say in that as always. This year you will see some more changes. The subscription rates and offers will change (for the first time in a long time), but the products we deliver will continue to evolve, too. We will be surveying subscribers along the way to make sure you, our valued subscribers, are heard. We are listening. How can we help?

Happy 140th to our WJ Subscribers!