Historic Hood River
Beefed Up
2-3-2026
Notes
I believe this image shows the Hood River White Salmon Bridge after the two piers for the main span have been reinforced in 1939, but before the lift tower and mechanism was added in 1940.
The ship is interesting too. It doesn’t look like a steam-powered sternwheeler. It must be a new generation of gasoline or diesel-powered ship moving people and freight up and down the river in an era when trucking and automobile travel were quickly taken over. By the early 1950’s I bet this ship was viewed as a relic.
Category: Downtown Hood River
Tags: 1930s, bridge, Hood River White Salmon Interstate Bridge, Port of Hood River, ship
Tags: 1930s, bridge, Hood River White Salmon Interstate Bridge, Port of Hood River, ship
Peter
Does anyone know what the diagonal boards/planks are that you commonly see on the sides of sternwheelers? What are they used for? I assume they’re movable and not part of the structure because they’re often going across windows
starboard
Those are fenders, attached at top, the bottom is thrown over the side and protects the gunwales (pronounced gunnels) of the ship or boat. Fenders nowadays are rubber air-filled, hung by rope (whips) and commonly incorrectly called bumpers. (I know, more than ya wanted to hear)
Roger Sheldrake
Sorry, but I jumped right to the last word of the text: RELIC! I don’t use the bridge very often; but I worry every time. I can’t imagine driving on old bias tires, arm strong steering, gale force winds, etc. Of course that’s one relic speaking of another.
Arthur Babitz
Roger, I’ve driven a Model T across the bridge several times. The steel deck makes it feel a little like you’re on ice, but if you stay at 15-20 mph it’s not too bad. The car is so narrow you don’t feel like you’re going to hit the railings. I haven’t tried it on a windy day, and wouldn’t want to.
L.E.
I wish we could see the name of the ship. It would be interesting to read its history.
Peter
The photo looks like a very good match for the excursion boat “Lake Bonneville,” a propeller-driven steamboat that ran until 1940. It was previously called the Georgiana.
https://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/commons/6/6a/86_The_Lake_Bonneville_Docked_at_Bonneville_Dam_%2822513084911%29.jpg
Arthur Babitz
Good ID Peter, perfect match.
L.E.
Good job Peter. Interesting.