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:!

info@oregonmaritimemuseum.org!!webpage:!

www.oregonmaritimemyseum.org!!Facebook:!

www.facebook.com/oregonmaritimemuseum!!The Port Quarter:!Dan Butler, Editor!dtb17@me.com!

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