Columbia River Tugs

I’m not confusing the Columbia with Colombia, but here’s what I found when I mistyped, on purpose.  Colombia seems to be getting some new vessels.

But on the Columbia, Sommer S seems to be the most powerful vessel of the Shaver fleet.

Here’s the land office with Willamette and Columbia at the dock, as well

as Vancouver and Lassen.

On the far side of Sommer S are Deschutes and Tidewater’s Betty Lou (1950).  Closeup, it’s Mary B.

Kathryn B is Bernert Barge Line’s sister to Mary B.

Click here for Bernert Barge Line’s plea to save the dams that make the Columbia navigable for as far as it is.

Foss recently announced it was withdrawing from the Columbia.  A few days ago, Betsy L, Pacific Escort, and PJ Brix were parked at the dock on the Willamette.

Betsy L

Lindy Marie (1952) has unusual house lines.  Note in the background the bow of the black mystery tug to the left and USACE’s Redlinger, maybe the fastest survey vessel on the seven seas.

This is an escort tug built in 1947 with obsolete technology just because it was effective.

When Portland II was service, it was operated by Shaver.  Click here for a narrative of its operation and transformation to museum vessel.  Click here for a foto of the vessel Shaver replaced the steam vessel with in 1981.

Yup, I gotta see the movie.

Parting shot, it’s part of the Brusco fleet.  Nearer vessel is Sharon Brusco.

All fotos by Will Van Dorp.