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The Lightship Columbia is open daily 11:00AM - 3:00PM Climb aboard and explore! Access to the Lightship is included with Museum Admission. Check with the Admissions Desk. |
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The Lightship Columbia, a National Historic Landmark that once guided ships to safety at the mouth of the Columbia River offers an opportunity to hop aboard and see for yourself where the sailors would cook, eat, sleep, and work.
The Lightship Columbia functioned as a floating lighthouse to mark the mouth of the Columbia River from 1951-1979. Since the lightship was essentially a small town anchored 5 miles out to sea, all of the supplies for the crew had to be on board. The lightship had a crew of 17 men who worked 2-4 week rotations, with 10 men on duty at a time. Life on board consisted of long periods of monotony punctuated by fierce storms, particularly in the winter.
Columbia returned to the Museum in Spring 2022 after an extensive dry dock restoration program.
The Lightship Columbia functioned as a floating lighthouse to mark the mouth of the Columbia River from 1951-1979. Since the lightship was essentially a small town anchored 5 miles out to sea, all of the supplies for the crew had to be on board. The lightship had a crew of 17 men who worked 2-4 week rotations, with 10 men on duty at a time. Life on board consisted of long periods of monotony punctuated by fierce storms, particularly in the winter.
Columbia returned to the Museum in Spring 2022 after an extensive dry dock restoration program.
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Exploration of Lightship Columbia just got better! On your next visit be sure to grab a scavenger hunt. The Education Crew hid 6 cartoon images around the accommodation deck. The images are a typewriter, life ring, a powdered drink, an officers cover, radio, and fishing pole. Look for the cartoon foghorn under the ‘down’ ladder to pick up materials and drop off materials in the locker with the same foghorn to the right of the ‘up’ ladder! Prizes will be given out by the doghouse docent. Curious why these images were selected? Starla the Sea star says “Come grab a hunt and see the explanations!” |
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The Lightship Columbia
By Al Olson
Once upon a time not too long ago
Our lightship left her mooring and up the stream did go;
The tugs were pushing mightily, her crew was working hard
As she went up the river and headed for the yard;
They’re going to improve her with every passing day
And she’ll be so much better in every sort of way;
Soon she’ll be returning having righted all her wrongs
And she will come back home again because that’s where she belongs.
By Al Olson
Once upon a time not too long ago
Our lightship left her mooring and up the stream did go;
The tugs were pushing mightily, her crew was working hard
As she went up the river and headed for the yard;
They’re going to improve her with every passing day
And she’ll be so much better in every sort of way;
Soon she’ll be returning having righted all her wrongs
And she will come back home again because that’s where she belongs.
HELP SUPPORT THE PRESERVATION OF THE LIGHTSHIP COLUMBIA
The Lightship Preservation Project involves towing the Columbia to dry dock
to be inspected, cleaned, repaired and repainted from the hull to the masts.
Additionally, the engine room and other areas below deck that have been closed to the public since 1979
will be restored and modified into new exhibit spaces with public access.
We need your support!
Please donate today and help the Museum preserve this most important vessel.
NOTE: Please be sure to use the "Add A Comment" box on the Donation Checkout page to ensure your donation goes to the Lightship Columbia project
Thank you!
The Lightship Preservation Project involves towing the Columbia to dry dock
to be inspected, cleaned, repaired and repainted from the hull to the masts.
Additionally, the engine room and other areas below deck that have been closed to the public since 1979
will be restored and modified into new exhibit spaces with public access.
We need your support!
Please donate today and help the Museum preserve this most important vessel.
NOTE: Please be sure to use the "Add A Comment" box on the Donation Checkout page to ensure your donation goes to the Lightship Columbia project
Thank you!
