Portland (1875 tugboat) facts for kids
Quick facts for kids History |
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|---|---|
| Name | Portland, Clayoquat, Phoenix |
| Route | Columbia River, Puget Sound, coastal British Columbia |
| Launched | April 9, 1875 |
| General characteristics | |
| Type | Steam tug, inland steamboat, cannery tender |
| Length | 75.7 ft (23.07 m) |
| Beam | 16 ft (4.88 m) |
| Depth | 6 ft (1.83 m) |
| Installed power | compound steam engine |
| Propulsion | propeller |
The Portland was a special kind of boat called a steam tug. It was built in Portland, Oregon, in the United States. This boat had a few different names during its life, including Clayoquat and Phoenix.
A Boat's Busy Life
The Portland was officially launched into the water on April 9, 1875. This happened in its hometown of Portland, Oregon. For about 15 years, the Portland worked hard on the Columbia River and Willamette River. Its job was to pull other boats and barges.
Later, the Portland moved to a different area called Puget Sound. From 1891 to 1895, it operated from Everett, Washington. During this time, a captain named James Hastings was its pilot.
An Amazing Journey: Drifting Away
In 1897, the Portland was taken out of the water for repairs. This happened at a place called Ballard, Washington. But something unexpected happened! The boat somehow broke free from its repair spot. It then floated away all by itself, with no one on board.
The Portland drifted north, all the way into Canadian waters. It was found floating alone by a company called B.C. Salvage Company. They rescued the boat, which was then taken over by R.P. Rithet and Company. This company was a big shipping business in British Columbia.
They decided to give the Portland a new purpose. They turned it into a passenger boat! The boat was also given a new name: Clayoquat. It started carrying people on routes from Port Renfrew on the west coast of Vancouver Island.
Later, the Clayoquat was sold to another company, H.Bell-Irving Company. They used it for a different job. It became a cannery tender, which is a boat that helps fishing canneries. For this job, it got its third name: Phoenix.
