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THE
PORT QUARTER Oregon Maritime Newsletter Fall 2014
Historic Sternwheeler!Steamer PORTLAND!
198 SW Naito Parkway!
Power, Paper, and Passage 125 years at Willamette Falls
It is an anniversary unmatched by any other industrial site in Oregon. This summer marked the 125th year of power generation at Willamette Falls and paper making at West Linn. With its 40-foot-high basalt cliffs bisecting the river, the falls have long been a significant part of our local maritime and industrial history. As a key shipping point for early river commerce, the site became one of the earliest manufacturing centers in the Northwest. It was also the birthplace of the country’s first long distance transmission of electrical power. In the mid-1870’s Willamette River traffic was divided into two separate regions: the portion above the falls, and the rest of the world below. Expensive portage around the falls was required until New Years Day 1873, when the locks at West Linn opened for business. The photo (right) shows an early steamboat passing through the newly completed locks. Controlled by various private owners, the locks were purchased by the U.S. Army Corp of Engineers in 1915. Between 1940 and 1970, 1.5 million tons of traffic passed through the locks annually, consisting mostly of log rafts. Second in volume only to Niagara Falls, Willamette Falls was a prime location for development. The availability of nearby timber along with easily accessible power and water transport made it especially attractive for paper manufacturers. In 1889, Willamette Falls Pulp and Paper Co. began production of pulp and newsprint
The125th year anniversary of a paper mill may seem like an odd story for a maritime museum newsletter. Yet, the West Linn Paper Co. is the last of many large mills that once lined the Willamette and relied heavily on the river’s maritime commerce. Although the locks at Willamette Falls are currently out of service, the historic PGE power plant and West Linn paper mill remain active, viable operations, mixing history with technology as they continue to produce power and paper.
December 1986. Looking upriver toward the falls, the tug WILLAMETTE CHIEF (left) spots an oil barge at the former Publishers Paper mill in Oregon City. Across the way at West Linn, the WESTERN METEOR (right) grabs a paper barge to spot at what was then the James River mill. West Linn Paper Co. continues to operate 24 hours a day, although it no longer relies on barge service. Willamette Falls Locks are just out of sight behind the silos on the right.
for customers in California. The operation became Crown Paper Co. in 1890 and after mergers in 1914 with other mills, became Crown Willamette Pulp & Paper. Expansion continued, and by 1928 the company combined with the Zellerbach Corp to become Crown-Zellerbach. ‘Crown Z’ lasted until 1986 when the mill was sold to James River and then the Simpson Paper Co. before closing in 1996. ! (continued on page 3)
—Photo courtesy of Oregon Historical Society
!!!!!! Officers! Arlen Cole! President! Susan Spitzer! 2nd Vice President! Dan Butler! Secretary!! ! Treasurer!! Trustees! Bob Woolsey! Curator! Ed Wilson! Library! Ron Youngman! Vessel Operations! Capt. Dick Ackroyd! Katin Imes! Dave Larson! Gil MacGregor! Doug Parks! Dan Pippenger! Marc Schwartz! Liz Wainwright! Dan Yates!! Honorary Trustees! Art Riedel! Capt. Jack Taylor!! Staff! Penny Mery! Museum Store Administrator! Virginia Durost! Bookkeeper!
Museum Hours and Location:!!Open Wednesday, Friday & Saturday,!
11:00am to 4:00pm! (Fall Season)!!
Aboard the Steamer PORTLAND!At the foot of SW Pine St. at the Seawall!
near the Battleship Oregon mast.!!Contact Us:!!
503-224-7724!!mailing address:!!
Oregon Maritime Museum!115 SW Ash Street, Suite 400C!
Portland, OR 97204!!email:!
[email protected]!!webpage:!
www.oregonmaritimemyseum.org!!Facebook:!
www.facebook.com/oregonmaritimemuseum!!The Port Quarter:!Dan Butler, [email protected]!
Photos by Dan Butler unless otherwise noted
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The OMM Board of Trustees will meet on October 16, at 12pm, onboard the Steamer PORTLAND.
Board Members
The Port Quarter is published quarterly and is distributed by standard mail and email. Please let us know which option you would prefer. Also, we encourage you to submit interesting maritime stories, photos or ideas for future issues.
At the Helm…!! ! OMM President Arlen Cole
As our summer season comes to a close, I thought a review of what we’ve done and where we’re headed would be appropriate. In April the Steamer had a successful dry docking. Thanks to generous donations, costs were minimal. In July we cruised to St. Helens to attend the Maritime Heritage Festival. August saw us steaming to Terminal 4 to participate in the SeaPort Celebration. In September we made a fund-‐raising cruise to Kelley Point and back. A Hinal cruise awaits in October. With last winter’s projects completed, the PORTLAND has never looked or run better. On the administrative side, we are in the process of implementing Dr. George Vogt’s proposed ‘Action Plan’. With grant funding we purchased a canopy that will enhance the Texas Deck as an event venue. Our webpage is being revamped and an online virtual exhibit is being developed. Onboard displays have been refreshed and improved. Continuing progress is being made in sorting through our collections. In short, 2014 has been a productive year on numerous levels. But two major challenges remain. 1) We need more volunteers -‐ both on the Board and as docents. 2) In spite of rigorous cost cutting, operating funds remain tenuous at best. Plans for next year are already being drafted as we seek ways to remain a viable entity. My earlier plea still stands: your support and participation is essential for your museum to stay aHloat in 2015. Thanks for your help!
Personal Reflections… from the Editor ! It was with much shock and sadness that I learned of the deaths of OMM members Dick Montgomery and Chuck Kellogg. Both men were very actively involved with the preservation of maritime history. Their passion, vision, and contributions to local organizations will be recognized for many years to come. I got to know Chuck a bit when he served on our Board and through several events. I say ‘a bit’ because Chuck wasn’t one to sit still for long. He was more of a hands-on kind of guy whose irrepressible energy allowed little time for meetings and talk. Chuck was definitely a doer and do he did, even if it was behind the scenes. I’d known Dick professionally for years, especially after he became a columnist for the Daily Shipping News. For some reason, he appreciated my often wacky submissions and ran them in the paper. His encouragement to me was “Write more.” It was Dick’s incessant arm twisting that pushed me into the OMM Secretary position. I repeatedly told him that writing humorous columns did not qualify one for the job but he was a persistent salesman. I finally gave in, mostly as a favor to him. Fortunately, I was able to return the encouragement earlier this year when I asked Dick to write a story in the spring issue of the Port Quarter. He promptly submitted a wonderful history piece on the Port of Portland. His daughter later told me that he was thrilled for the chance to write again and have his work showcased. As far as I know, it would be his last byline. The passing of these gentlemen is a loss to the maritime community and to me personally. They are, and will be, missed.
Bill Fishback gives a wave to the tug PORTLAND as she passes by the Steamer during the SeaPort Celebration at Terminal 4. - August 16, 2014!
The PORT QUARTER, Fall 2014
Power and Paper at Willamette Falls
(continued from Page 1) !In 1997 the current owners reopened the mill as West Linn Paper Co. 1889 was also the year the falls became a source for hydroelectric power. On June 3 of that year, Willamette Falls Electric Co. began producing power at Station A on the Oregon City side for Portland streetlights, 14 miles away. It would be the Hirst interurban transmission of electricity in the U.S. The date also marked the beginnings of the Portland General Electric Company (PGE). In 1895, Station B began operating next to the West Linn paper mill. Station A closed two years later. In addition to generating electricity for Portland, Station B also supplied power to the Oregon Electric Railway trains operating between Portland and Salem. In 1953, the plant was named after the young PGE hydraulic engineer who designed it, Thomas W. Sullivan. Through the years, the Sullivan station has been upgraded and Hish protection enhancements added. As the nation’s third oldest hydro plant and the oldest west of the Mississippi, the Sullivan station was listed on the National Register of Historic Places in 2002. In 2014, the plant’s 13 generators (top, right) continue to spin out 16,000 kilowatts of reliable, low-‐cost electricity ever day, enough to supply 11,000 homes. The plant is noted for a 98+% survival rate as young Hish are diverted around the turbines. Fish ladders also assist salmon returning the Willamette’s upper reaches. Like its neighbor next door, the paper mill has continued to expand over the years and improve their operations. Initially the falls powered massive grinders to produce pulp from log cants. Later, West Linn became the Hirst mill on the West Coast to use a sulHite pulping process where chemicals and cooking removed the lignins that held the wood Hibers together. Besides newsprint, the mill also produced toweling, wrapping papers and mulch paper for growing pineapples. A coated paper line was added in 1948. The Willamette River allowed for direct delivery of incoming logs, barges of clay for coated paper, and fuel for the mill’s boilers. Finished paper was moved via covered barges by wholly owned subsidiary Western Transportation to a distribution center on the Portland. waterfront. Today, West Linn Paper Co. makes nearly 750 tons of paper per day, with three paper machines and 240 employees. That’s more than Crown Z did 50 years ago with ten machines and 2500 people! The mill is the only manufacturer of high-‐quality coated paper in the Western United States and is used locally in printed ads and magazines like Portland Monthly. The company also offers a line of environmentally friendly paper derived from FSC-‐certiHied pulp and recycled papers. While paper production and power generation continue to thrive at The Falls, unfortunately the locks are currently out of service. In 2011, after investing $2 million in repairs, the U.S. Army Corp of Engineers discovered other mechanical issues and placed the locks in “non-‐operational” status. The National Trust for Historic Preservation selected the locks as a National Treasure in 2012. The Willamette Falls Heritage Foundation is partnering with other organizations and agencies to secure funding to reopen them. OMM participated in this year’s Lock Fest to help promote public awareness of the locks and to celebrate the 125th anniversary of the West’s oldest operating paper mill.
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Cruisin’ News! Summer on the River!!
The PORTLAND made four very pleasant trips this summer. Dubbed the ‘Summer Scaffolding Cruises’ (for the ongoing pilot house rebuild project), all the excursions were blessed with sunny, warm weather. There were cruises to St. Helens and back, to the Port’s SeaPort celebration at Terminal 4 and to Kelley Point with entertainment provided by performers from Portland Opera. The Steamer’s recently retimed engine performed Hlawlessly and burned less fuel than previous trips. Returning from St. Helens, the PORTLAND paused off Frenchman’s Bar Park where the 89th Annual Veteran Steamboatmen and Maritime Picnic was being held. It was the Hirst time a steamboat had attended since 1953. The Steamer provided a moving, three-‐blast whistle salute for the picnic’s memorial service to industry members who passed away in 2014.
Veteran steamboatman Capt. Jack Taylor gives a heartfelt whistle salute for the memorial service. Photo by Jim Spitzer
Aerial photos by Bruce Miller
Departing the seawall under sunny skies for a day of glorious steaming.
Leaving the Willamette at Kelley Point and heading into the mighty Columbia.Passing beneath the St. Johns Bridge.
Northbound and down… Steamin’ for St. Helens.
Docked at Terminal 4 for the Port’s SeaPort Celebration.
Memorial tribute off Frenchman’s Bar with the fireboat CAMPBELL.
The PORT QUARTER, Fall 2014
Industry News! ! ! ! ! On the Waterfront
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It’s Here… Portland’s New Drydock!
History was made on August 24 when Vigor Marine’s new dry dock arrived from China aboard the heavy lift ship M/V BLUE MARLIN. At 737 feet long and a beam of 208 feet, the ship itself was large. With the dry dock straddling its main deck at an angle, the overall beam became 358 feet - making it the widest vessel to ever transit the Columbia! Moving upriver, the ship was piloted by a team of river pilots, headed by OMM’s own Capt. Chuck Patching. The vessel and its cargo spent the night at an anchorage off Terminal 6 to await a daylight transit through the St. Johns railroad bridge. The next morning, and still under the guidance of Capt. Patching and his team, the ship proceeded up the Willamette with the assistance of several tugboats. It passed smoothly through the St. Johns railroad lift span and tied up for customs paperwork and gear removal at Vigor’s facility on Swan Island. The following day, the ship and its bulky load shifted back downriver to a deep hole off of Terminal 4. Once there, the ship began ballasting down to a depth of 58 feet. It took 12 hours to submerge the ship and an hour and a half to float off the dock. At that point the pilots orchestrated an array of tugs to carefully push the dock away from the ship for the tow back to Swan Island. With its cargo finally and safely off, the ship began deballasting. Although it only took 20 minutes for the decks to surface, the full rise required 12 hours of cautiously controlled pumping to avoid stressing the hull. After deballasting, the ship sailed for Singapore and its next assignment of delivering a drill rig to Brazil. Thanks to a seasoned Dutch salvage Master and a top notch Russian crew, coupled with Capt. Patching’s detailed tow plan, the entire operation went extremely well and was completed three days earlier than expected. The Master said the Columbia River Pilots were “the most professional he’s worked with” and that this was “the smoothest port call ever.” Due to the dock’s placement aboard, the ships stern bitts had to be cut off, leaving no way to affix tugboats to the stern. It was suggested by the pilots that buttons be welded on so that a low-profile tractor tug could be made up to the stern. Operated by OMM board member Capt. Dick Ackroyd, Shaver’s SOMER S was the ideal tug for this task and performed perfectly. The BLUE MARLIN had never used this river-style make up before but it worked so well that her captain will continue to use this method whenever possible. Although officially known as Dry Dock #5, Vigor Marine gave the country’s largest floating dock an appropriate name: VIGOROUS. Ships are already waiting for a turn on the dock, andVigor and Portland shipyard workers are anticipating a vigorous schedule and a lot of new business!
Left photo: Unloaded at last, the BLUE MARLIN’s main deck have just reappeared from the Willamette’s depths after only 20 minutes of pumping. Deballasting would continue for 12 hours before she would be ready to depart.
OMM Volunteer Profile!2nd Vice President Susan Spitzer
OMM Mystery Photos!Where on the Steamer is it?
When Ron Youngman, Jim Spitzer and Charlie Haughey dug into the pilot house rebuild project this summer, they were surprised to find some buried history. Under the decayed plywood and fiberglass exterior they discovered an old promotional sign used during early stages of the Steamer PORTLAND’s construction. Evidently, her frugal-minded builders decided to recycle the sign as backing for the tongue-and-groove siding that once covered the house. The horizontal lines left on the sign provide clear evidence that siding was the original material used before being replaced with plywood at some point in the past. Now beautifully restored to its as-built condition, the new siding looks as its designers intended. Next time you’re aboard, look up at the pilot house - and remember what still lies beneath that freshly painted surface!
You probably won’t see her turning wrenches in the Steamer’s engine room but that’s about the only hat Susan Spitzer doesn’t wear! As OMM’s 2nd Vice President, Susan is the energetic dynamo who keeps our museum activities on course. In addition to subbing for President Arlen Cole and assisting him, Susan performs a multitude of administrative duties that include keeping track of membership, museum correspondence, HR, coordinating with government entities and other non-profits, event planning, fundraising, marketing, community outreach, and volunteer coordinating. An appropriate question would be:“What doesn’t she do?” The photo at right is the perfect depiction of her role as the welcoming face of OMM that says follow me and come aboard! Raised in a Boston suburb, Susan has six siblings. She met her husband Jim Spitzer during a summer job at the University of Massachusetts. After Jim became an officer with the U.S. Coast Guard, they moved around the country every few years. Susan earned her B.S. degree in business at Old Dominion University in Norfolk, Virginia while working for the AssociateProvost. She has worked in personnel management at the Nature Conservancy, at Computerland's corporate offices, at the Federal Home Loan Bank Board in San Francisco and at the Schnitzer Steel’s safety office here in Portland. As she raised son Eric, paying jobs were replaced with volunteer work at organizations ranging from the National Association for Mental Illness to being the clerk of session at church. She became involved with OMM after Jim joined the Board in 2002. Eric also served as OMM’s bookkeeper before gaining full-time employment. Susan loves the West, Oregon and Portland. Her commitment to OMM stems from her passion for our mission and the need to preserve and tell our region’s rich maritime history. She would very much enjoy the company and help of any OMM member who might wish to lend a hand. (We still need a 1st Vice President and Treasurer!) Our hats are off to Susan for her professionalism, tireless work, and enthusiastic dedication in making OMM a success!
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What’s better than one Spitzer? Two of ‘em! OMM is blessed to have both Jim and Susan active in various roles - including fending off pirates!
Photo by Jim Spitzer
The PORT QUARTER, Fall 2014
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Membership News!Crossed the Final Bar... !
A native Portlander, Dick Montgomery was a veteran journalist and public relations executive. He died of natural causes at age 84. After a career in the ad agency and newspaper business, Dick became the public information manager for the Port of Portland in 1976. For 19 years he was the Port’s chief spokesman on all issues related to their marine division. He also edited the Port’s international news magazine, Portside. In 1993 he received the Portland Shipping Club’s “Old Salt” award for his long service promoting shipping on the Columbia River. When Dick retired from the Port in 1995 he founded Montgomery Marine Communications and continued as a consultant to the Port and other maritime industries. He wrote a weekly column in the Daily Shipping News and contributed to other publications. His retirement was also spent with four years as President of OMM. In addition, Dick worked as a docent aboard the Steamer, helped raise money for a major restoration of the Steamer and gave many talks on behalf of our museum. Dick was well known throughout the shipping industry from his years of professional and public service. He was widely recognized as a regional maritime historian. He is survived by his wife Patty, their children and six grandchildren. The family requests that donations be made to OMM or to the Alano Club of Portland.
Chuck Kellogg II was a native Portlander, business owner and restorer of historic boats who had a zeal for life. He was killed in a tragic accident at a railroad crossing inVancouver. With an energetic enthusiasm, Chuck had passions on water, in the air and on land. After obtaining his first pilot’s license at 16, he later earned his commercial pilot’s license with multi engine and helicopter ratings. He also held a USCG 100-ton Masters license and was working on his 200-ton Captain’s license. After starting his own corporation at age 18, he attended OSU. Drafted by the US Army in 1958, he was sent to their Engineering School to become an instructor of refrigeration systems for the Atlas missile. After serving honorably, he attended PSU and worked at his father’s business, Northwest Copper Works. He later took over the firm and then started two others. He was also an inventor and held numerous patents for his inventions. Chuck was a patriot who was dedicated to honoring the veterans of WWII. He was an active board member of Save the PT Boat, Amphibious Forces Memorial Museum and OMM. He worked tirelessly to help restore the LCI-713 and the PT-658, as well as the PORTLAND. He enjoyed skiing, riding motorcycles, boating, fishing and hunting. Other passions included woodcarving, restoring classic cars and wooden boats, among them an 84-year-old cruiser named The Kaleta.
Active his entire life, he will be remembered as a charismatic character who was irreverently funny and enjoyed spending time with his family and friends. Chuck is survived by his wife Trish, five children, 13 grandchildren and two great-grandchildren. The family suggests that donations be made to Save the PT boat or the Amphibious Forces Memorial Museum.
Dick’s rich voice continues to resonate aboard the Steamer as narrator of our videos.
Charles W. Kellogg!March 15, 1934 - September 7, 2014
Richard G. Montgomery Jr.!March 2, 1930 - July 13, 2014
With his trademark smile, Chuck stands at the 20 mm gun aboard PT-658 on the 60th Anniversary of VJ Day, Aug 2005. Photo courtesy of Save the PT Boat, Inc.
(Information obtained from The Oregonian obituaries and other sources)
OMM’s Port Quarter!115 SW Ash Street, Suite 400C!Portland, OR 97204
Upcoming Events!!October!
*Oct. 16, Thursday!! OMM Board Meeting: 12pm aboard the Steamer.!!*Oct. 18, Saturday!! Kelley Point Cruise: Depart the seawall at 9am for a 4 hour cruise to the ! lower Willamette and return. Local river historians will be aboard to point out ! and discuss the various docks, businesses and sights of the Portland harbor.!!
November!*Nov. 15, Saturday!! Volunteer Appreciation Party: 2-4pm, aboard the Steamer, chance to !! recognize and meet all of our fine volunteer docents, crew and staff.!!
December!*Dec. 21, Sunday!! Christmas Ship Viewing Party: Watch the Christmas Ship Fleet from the ! warm comfort of the Steamer’s cabin while enjoying hot chili and desserts. ! Details will be announced in November.!
You can still ride the PORTLAND for this year’s last trip! Book your passage now for our Oct. 18 Portland Harbor cruise to Kelley Point. Tickets available through brownpapertickets.com!
September’s cruise to Kelley Point —Photo by Phil Barney
Dreamin’ of Steamin’?
The PORT QUARTER, Fall 2014