The Portland, a steam towboat, was used in the mid 20th century to dock, turn and assist ships through the Willamette River’s narrow channels. She was retired in the early 1980s when more efficient diesel engined boats took her place. Today, after decades of retired neglect, she has been restored by a team of volunteers and stands dockside, a beautiful relic of a by-gone age. The Portland is now home of the Oregon Maritime Museum.
I snapped this photo one spring morning when we were strolling on the banks of the Willamette River. I liked the look of the ship, a beautifully restored and preserved piece of the past (not unlike a restored classic car), and how the image tells you exactly where you are.
Fascinating to see how many forms tugs and towboats take! Here’s one from New York with a similar history. She’s the W.O. Decker, one of the last steam tugs built in New York Harbor (1930) and also later converted to diesel…and also retired in the 1980s. She’s a tiny tug, built to move barges in an out of the small coves and streams that join New York Harbor.
Since 1986, the W.O. Decker has belonged to the South Street Seaport Museum. I was fortunate to have had a harbor cruise that explored hidden corners of the waterfront. Out of service for restoration at the moment, but more information is available here.
Photo from South Street Seaport Museum website
Thanks for the extra insight, PHeymont. There is a certain charm to a tugboat — sort of a “little engine who could”.