16202. Johnson, Leland R. Ph.D. Heroes at the Falls: Louisville’s Lifesavers. Edited by Charles E. Parrish. Butler Books. 2014. 128 pages. Large 8 ½” x 11”. Life-Saving Station #10, docked at the wharf in Louisville, Kentucky, is a unique installation in American history. As the only such federal installation on the inland waterways, this rare floating life-saving station guarded against navigational disasters from 1882 until 1972. The only other similar life-saving station in the country was the City Point Station in Boston Harbor. This station in Louisville was lobbied for and manned by locally-grown heroes who maintained a constant vigil to protect vessels and their passengers, cargoes and crews from destruction on the jagged rocks of the Falls of the Ohio River in the days prior to modern lock and dam systems. This Falls area was considered the most dangerous point along the 981 miles of the Ohio River. From the time it was authorized by Congress in 1881 until 1915, thousands of people were rescued from the treacherous falls area and more than $5 million worth of boats, possessions and cargo were saved. The Coast Guard would continue this fine record at the station until 1972, when the completion of the newer McAlpine Locks and Dam submerged most of the Falls and now required that all boat traffic pass through the canal and locks instead of passing over the Falls. The third floating station remains today, with its white double-decker building and watchtower aboard – the last of three river rescue stations at the site. Dr. Johnson tells, for the first time, the compelling story of the U.S. Life-Saving Service and Coast Guard stations at this site, and the remarkable crews who saved thousands of lives, countless numbers of boats, and millions of dollars of cargoes at the Falls of the Ohio. (M). Published at $20. Our price $18.50.