Fort Clatsop was a campsite of the Lewis and Clark Expedition, located in Oregon County near the mouth of the Columbia River. During the winter of 1805–06, the expedition camped here at the northern end of the Clatsop Plains, about 5 miles (8 km) southwest of Astoria. The fort was their last camp before they began their return journey east to St. L
USS Columbia Lightship (WLV-604)
- Category
- Author:
- Views:179
- Edited1 August 2024, 09:43
- Coordinates:
Photos
Description
The United States Lightship Columbia (WLV-604) is a historic vessel located in Astoria, Oregon. Columbia was commissioned in 1951 and was the fourth and final lightship stationed at the mouth of the Columbia River. Built at the Rice Brothers shipyard in Boothbay, Maine, Columbia was launched along with her sister ship Relief (WLV-605). The new lightship replaced the aging LV-93, which had been in service on the Columbia River since 1939. From 1892 to 1979, lightships along the Columbia River guided ships through dangerous shoals and an area known as the Graveyard of the Pacific. ### Operation and Life on Board
The U.S. Coast Guard had a permanent crew of 18 on board, consisting of 17 enlisted men and one warrant officer who served as the ship's captain. Everything the crew needed had to be on board, as weeks of winter weather often prevented supplies from being brought in. Life on board a lightship was characterized by long periods of monotony and boredom, interspersed with severe storms. The crew worked in two- to four-week shifts, with ten men on duty at any one time.
Historical Significance and Museum Use
In 1978, Columbia was added to the National Register of Historic Places, but was removed from the register in 1983 due to relocation from the historic site. She was returned to the registry in 1989, when she was designated a National Historic Landmark as Lightship WAL-604, Columbia.
WLV-604 now resides at the Columbia River Maritime Museum, next to the navigation buoy that replaced her in 1979. Columbia remains an important piece of maritime history, symbolizing the importance of navigation technology and the Coast Guard in ensuring safe navigation in one of the most dangerous parts of the Pacific Ocean.
Comments
Login to write a comment
Fort Vancouver was a 19th-century fur trading post built in the winter of 1824–25. It was the headquarters of the Columbia Branch of the Hudson's Bay Company, located in the Pacific Northwest. Named after Captain George Vancouver, the fort was located on the north bank of the Columbia River in present-day Vancouver, Washington. Trading Activit
The Tacoma Narrows Bridge is a suspension bridge in Washington State (USA), built across the Tacoma Narrows Strait, which is part of Puget Sound. This bridge became famous due to its tragic accident that occurred on November 7, 1940. At 11:00 local time, with winds of about 40 mph (65 km/h), the central span of the bridge collapsed. Traffic was lig
Mount Rainier is a stratovolcano located in Pierce County, Washington, United States. It is the highest point in the Cascade Mountains (4,392 m) and the highest volcano in the contiguous United States, excluding Alaska. The volcano was named after British Admiral Peter Rainier. The area of the surrounding territory, which has the status of Mount
Mount Rainier National Park is a United States national park located in southeastern Pierce County and northwestern Lewis County in Washington State. The park covers an area of 953.5 km² and its dominant feature is the stratovolcano Rainier, which has an elevation of 4,392 m. The volcano rises sharply above its surrounding areas, creating a drama
Музей авиации — крупнейший независимый некоммерческий музей авиации и космонавтики в мире. Расположенный в столичном районе Сиэтла, он содержит более 175 самолетов и космических кораблей, десятки тысяч артефактов, миллионы редких фотографий и библиотеку мирового класса. Ежегодно музей привлекает более 500 000 посетителей и обслуживает более 140 000
Point Bonita Lighthouse is located at Point Bonita, at the entrance to San Francisco Bay in the Marin Headlands near Sausalito, California. It holds the distinction of being the last staffed lighthouse on the California coast and was added to the National Register of Historic Places in 1991. Historical Significance During the California Gold R
The Golden Gate Bridge is a suspension bridge spanning the Golden Gate, the one-mile-wide (1.6 km) strait connecting San Francisco Bay and the Pacific Ocean. It links the city of San Francisco, California, at the northern tip of the San Francisco Peninsula, to Marin County, carrying both U.S. Route 101 and California State Route 1 across the strait
The Palace of Fine Arts is a monumental structure located in the Marina District of San Francisco, California. It was originally built for the 1915 Panama–Pacific International Exposition to exhibit works of art. Constructed from concrete and steel, the building was claimed to be fireproof. Construction and Renovation The Palace was reconstruc
A World War II tugboat sank in Pillar Point Harbor, damaging local docks in 2022. Built in Florida in 1945 as Panameta, this 94-foot tug was used by the Navy in Alaska before heading to California. It has gone through several owners since then and was purchased by Jasper Danielson of San Mateo about 20 years ago. The tugboat Caleb now rests in abou