Paddlewheel Tug on the Columbia
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Posted: April 03, 2006
View all Bridges + Riverfront.
This paddlewheel vessel appears to be decommissioned. My understanding is that the value of a paddlewheel propulsion system is that it enables a boat to operate in shallow riverine enviornments, such as close to shore. However I could be making that up.
The Washington shore is visible across the river.
Lance S. recently wrote me with some background on this boat. He says this vessel is "The Sternwheeler Jean".
"This boat was owned by Western Transportation Tug & Barge Co..This company was based at 3710 NW Front Ave. -- Portland, Oregon. The 100 hundred year old company was sold by James River Corp. in 1998. (1898-1998)
He adds: "The unique twin stern wheel steam tug JEAN was built by Commercial Iron Works, Portland, Oregon in 1938 for the Western Transportation Co., a subsidiary of Crown Zellerbach Corp. The 140 foot long vessel which displaced 533 tons was designed by W. D. McLaren of Vancouver, British Columbia to tow logs and handle large barges on the Columbia and Willamette Rivers. She operated until 1957. Stripped of her machinery and equipment, as of 1997 she was still afloat in the Snake River near Lewiston, Idaho in poor condition under private ownership."
"In July 2004 it came to our attention that JEAN had been towed from its resting place in Idaho back to its origins near Portland, Oregon on the Columbia slough. Her present status is unknown. However it would appear that there may be a move afoot to preserve the venerable old lady, making this important original builder's relic all the more valuable!"
Thanks to Lance for that background information.
This paddlewheel vessel appears to be decommissioned. My understanding is that the value of a paddlewheel propulsion system is that it enables a boat to operate in shallow riverine enviornments, such as close to shore. However I could be making that up.
The Washington shore is visible across the river.
Lance S. recently wrote me with some background on this boat. He says this vessel is "The Sternwheeler Jean".
"This boat was owned by Western Transportation Tug & Barge Co..This company was based at 3710 NW Front Ave. -- Portland, Oregon. The 100 hundred year old company was sold by James River Corp. in 1998. (1898-1998)
He adds: "The unique twin stern wheel steam tug JEAN was built by Commercial Iron Works, Portland, Oregon in 1938 for the Western Transportation Co., a subsidiary of Crown Zellerbach Corp. The 140 foot long vessel which displaced 533 tons was designed by W. D. McLaren of Vancouver, British Columbia to tow logs and handle large barges on the Columbia and Willamette Rivers. She operated until 1957. Stripped of her machinery and equipment, as of 1997 she was still afloat in the Snake River near Lewiston, Idaho in poor condition under private ownership."
"In July 2004 it came to our attention that JEAN had been towed from its resting place in Idaho back to its origins near Portland, Oregon on the Columbia slough. Her present status is unknown. However it would appear that there may be a move afoot to preserve the venerable old lady, making this important original builder's relic all the more valuable!"
Thanks to Lance for that background information.
