On April 11, 1892, Light Ship 50 was towed to a position five miles west of the Columbia River’s mouth where she became the west coast's first active lightship. In November, 1889 a serious storm broke her anchorage, and the next day her crew beached her; she remained beached until June, 1901. Between February and June of 1901 she was hauled 700 yards overland to where she could be relaunched; after repairs she was returned to her station on August 18, 1901. In 1909, she was removed from lightship duties, and in 1915 she was sold at public auction.
The cover reads "Compliments of Allen [Andrew Allen] and Roberts [J.H. Roberts], Portland, Ore., Contractors for moving Columbia River Light Ship No. 50, overland from Ocean Beach to Baker's Bay, at Forth Canby, Washington. Distance, 1-2 of a mile. Light Ship was stranded at McKinsey's Head, Nov. 29, 1899; moved May, 1901." Additional handwritten notes read "Presented to Louis Heinrichs, Ord. Sgt USA. Ft. Canby, Wash."
The collection holds 37 photographic images, maintained in their original order and binding. All photographs are undated and undescribed, though most are noted as having been taken by J.F. Ford. The photograph depicts the grounded ship, the process of moving her overland, those involved, and finally the ship back at dock.
This collection is open and available for research use.
[Item Description] Album of Columbia River Light Ship No. 50, 1901 (PC 128)
Manuscripts, Archives, and Special Collections, Washington State University Libraries, Pullman, WA.
It is unclear when and from whom this was acquired, save that it apparently came to the Libraries before 1959. It was held in MASC as Cage 4019 before being redescribed as a photographs collection.
This collection was processed by University Archivist Mark O'English in June 2009.
This collection is indexed under the following headings in the online catalog. Researchers desiring materials about related topics, persons, or places should search the catalog using these headings.