Historic Hood River
Steamer Charles Spencer At the Locks
5-2-2013
Notes
This view of the steamer Charles R. Spencer approaching the Cascade Locks gives a great view of this river terrain, now under Lake Bonneville. The cascades were a serious impediment to river travel before the locks were built. Note the fish wheels on the Washington shore.
charlott
the Spencer had very nice passenger quarters. These sternwheelers had a habit of racing each other. Spencer was right in the middle of many races. Built in 1901. When racing the rapids here, it went through the rapids. In July 1904 the Spencer sank somewhere between Hood River and The Dalles, however they refloated it, re-furbished it and it was off once more. Then it collided with the sternwheeler The Dalles City. After 1911 it was renamed the Monarch. Finally it sailed into the sunset to California in 1914.
I am thinking the Spencer was headed for the boat canal, as on the far right that looks like the enterance to it.
l.e.
There is lots to see in this photo!
There is a row boat or canoe off the point of the locks.
Are those fish wheels on the Washington shore?
It looks like pilings in the background along the Washington shore. I wonder if that is a railroad trestle.
The Pierce ranch was just below Bonneville. I wonder if there is any connection with the photographer.
charlott
Yes, that is a big stationery fish wheel over there. People do not realize just how many fish wheels there were up and down the river. Many stationery ones and then the scows. I remember the last one in existence, the one at Big Eddy. Why it wasn’t perserved is beyond me.
I also notice that they do have life boats on the Spencer.
Arlen Sheldrake
Great photo. Our special issue newsletter handout about the Cascade Locks very historic Oregon Pony steam locomotive continues to be a popular give away at Portland’s Union Station and other venues including the upcoming National Train Day May 11 here in Portland. We have printed something like 6000…..and still going.
l.e.
From the Nov. 28, 1920 Oregon News:
HOOD RIVER," Or., Nov. 27 (Special.) K. A. Pierce, Cascade Locks sawmill worker and amateur photographer, was discovered at his apartments suffering from a stroke of paralysis. It was believed that he had lain in a helpless condition for mor. than a day, unable to summon aid. County authorities have placed nurses in charge of Mr. Pierce. Nothing is known of his relatives, but it is thought he has a brother in Kansas.
Jeffrey Bryant
The Hood River News, May 10, 1911, page 3
After Many Years Boat
Whistle Stirs Memory
Over 40 years after he had last heard the whistle of the Mississippi river steamboat, Belle of La Crosse, J. T. Wasson of Vancouver heard the same whistle now on the Columbia riverboat, The Monarch, formerly the Charles P. Spencer. When Mr. Wasson heard the whistle of the Portland boat a few days ago he remarked to the captain, J. M. McIntire, that the whistle must be an exact duplicate of that of the old Mississippi boat upon which he took his first journey away from home when a boy of 19 years. He was then informed that the whistle was taken from that boat.
The whistle, according to Captain E. W. Spencer, was brought to Hood River in early days by Captain Davidson, the father of P. S. and Frank Davidson, and who built the first big saw mill here, and is over 60 years old. The Charles J. Spencer is now owned by the Monarch Lumber company, and its name has been changed to The Monarch.
L.E.
Fascinating story Jeffrey. Thanks.
Our family remembers the recent story of my 90 year old mother in law who lived close to the railroad tracks on the Washington side of the Columbia.
One day, she jumped up and said…that’s a steam engine and ran outside to watch old train rumble by her home.
Now I know that Arlen was probably on that special excursion train.