Boat captain’s personality brings river to life
When he was only 12-years-old, Sandy Jackson was driving a tugboat with his dad who was the harbor master in Charleston, S.C. Today, “Capt. Sandy” is owner/operator of one of Shreveport’s bestkept and most unique secrets: The Spirit of the Red River Cruise. The river certainly held a great pull for the Jackson family as Jackson and all ve of his brothers are boat captains. Jackson was in the Navy from 1972 until 1976 and has never really left the water.
Tourists can enjoy the colorful and historic tour aboard a 35-passenger, U.S. Coast Guard-certi ed boat with an experienced captain full of information and personality.
The Red River and Cross Bayou were both integral arteries during the Civil War. On the Spirit of the Red tour, Capt. Sandy will point out where a Confederate shipyard, which was responsible for building some the Confederacy’s submarines, was located. One can also view Fort Humbug, which was built by the Confederates to defend Shreveport, the state capital in 1864. The fort displayed an array of charred logs simulating cannons strategically placed to deter the Union forces.
On the educational tour, one will pass many historic bridges such as the Waddle “A” Frame Bridge on Cross Bayou, which dates from the middle of the 19th century and is one of only two such bridges left standing in the United States.
The tour is enhanced by the knowledge and humor of Jackson, who has spent a lifetime on the water. His tales of the river and his own experiences on it enliven an already enchanting experience.
In addition to his duties as captain of the Spirit of the Red, Jackson is also the captain of the Sam’s Town Casino riverboat. Each of the riverboat casinos must have a captain on staff because though they are stationary, they are river-worthy vessels.
As a matter of fact, Jackson was responsible for placing the boats for the Eldorado and Horseshoe casinos in their berths. The tour will also take you past all of Shreveport-Bossier City’s casinos except Harrah’s Louisiana Downs.
“Capt. Sandy and the Spirit of the Red gave me an introduction to seeing our cities as ‘river cities,’” said Chris Jay, social media and public relations manager for the Shreveport-Bossier Tourist Bureau.
“His tours give you an alluring perspective on how the river shaped our culture.”
The Spirit of the Red tours set sail on the hour from 10 a.m. through 5 p.m. Thursday through Saturday and noon to 5 p.m. on Sunday. The boat sets out for its river tours from the dock at 820 Clyde Fant Parkway in Shreveport, located across from Sci- Port: Louisiana’s Science Center. Call Jackson at 564-3560 or go to capt.sandy@redrivercruise .com.
– Karl Hasten
