Not long after we moved to Memphis, a little child in our church sent us a kind note of welcome. In it she said, "I know you miss the ocean. I hope you like the river."

Indeed we do. When I gaze out upon the mighty Mississippi I can almost see Huck Finn and Tom Sawyer on a raft. I visualize romantic paddle-wheelers and riverboat gamblers, though it seems that the gamblers have anchored south of here. I hear again those deep plaintive lyrics from "Showboat" extolling that stoic "Old Man River."

Surely most Memphians know that there are buoys in the river. These are maintained by the Coast Guard. They are of two types-- nuns and cans--differing in color. The buoys provide a map for all shipping, showing the river channel and the places of danger. If a ship's pilot ignores the warnings of t…