Columbia River Commerce

The blog will resume gallivanting in fifth dimension time travel soon, but for now, another set of contemporary Columbia River fotos.

A train travels the center of Main Street of aptly-named Rainier, Oregon, extending west and

back east.

I’ve never seen this line–BC Rail–out east.   They move slowly enough that anyone could jump aboard, although the trip would be only a mile or so from here because this cargo is nearly at the dock, where

it gets loaded into bulk carriers like this, Ken Mei.  Click here for info on fleetmates of Ken Mei.

Astern of her is a conventional bulker . . . Cleantec, maybe loading wood chips?

Further astern is Ocean Hope, log racks up.

Here Kathryn B passes on the Oregon side of what appears to be a sawing or chipping operation.

All fotos by Will Van Dorp.

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.