Quote:
Originally Posted by Legbreaker
What's the situation on the Ohio? Are there locks, canals, etc which may have been damaged by nukes or suffered from lack of maintenance since? Would the uncontrolled flooding mentioned in the books have wiped out the ability for large cargos to pass?
Where could it be taken if the riverway is clear? Suggestions?
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Water transport would be the likely option for transporting bullion from Kentucky westwards, as Kentucky is bounded by the two largest rivers in North America: The Ohio and Mississippi. The nearest large inland port to Fort Knox is at Louisville, relatively close by and the 7th largest inland port in America. Huntington which is the largest inland port in America is also in Kentucky, as is the port of Cincinnati-North Kentucky.
From Louisville the likely route would be along the Ohio River through the Louisville and Portland Canal which by pass the Falls of Ohio, which are the only natural obstacle along the Ohio. From there west through Cincinnati until it reaches Cairo, IL. In Howling Wilderness Cairo is where the 194th Armoured Brigade moved to after withdrawing from Fort Knox, and it is also the confluence of the Ohio and Mississippi Rivers.
From Cairo the most likely route would be south along the Mississippi to Memphis, TN, the current HQ of the 197th Mechanised Brigade. From there the Misissippi runs south to the Gulf and New Orleans, so it is likely that the bullion would be transported westwards by road through MilGov dominated States of Arkansas (98th Infantry Division) and Oklahoma and Kansas (95th Infantry Division, School Brigade) and westwards towards Colorado Springs.