I've developed a correspondence with the Towboat site author. There is a new pirated site up. More on the story from Ray:

Subject: RE: TowBoat - was it dragged or pushed?

Chip Sandresky wrote:

> Thanks Ray, glad to see it back online. It looks like the coal barge may
> have actually dragged the towboat under the bridge. Do you know: was the
> captain able to release the barge or was he dragged? Inquiring minds want
> to know
>
> Thanks,
> Chip

Ray Fagan wrote:

Would you believe that there are two versions of what happened? Both by
crew members??? The first "official" reason is that a face wire from the
starboard push knee got tangled (or whatever) and helped pull the boat with
it under the edge of the bridge. When the cable broke (came loose, etc.)
the boat popped up and was jammed by that starboard push knee. The current
did the rest.

The other "official" version is that a face wire somehow got into the port
wheel before the boat ever got to the bridge. With only one propeller to
operate with, the boat couldn't stop or back against the current. Again,
the current did the rest.

Remember that this happened at the highest water level ever recorded on the
Warrior River. BTW: the bridge was open.

We should have our new site up in a few days with the entire story including
pictures of most of the major players (bridge tender, captain,
photographer). For now, any other site you see the pictures on have stolen
my original site without my consent. I have been in touch with the owner of
the pictures and should have copyright approval shortly.

Thanks,
Ray Fagan