Mariners Hall Campus Transformation Races Ahead
On track for Fall 2026 grand opening
FALL 2025 NUMBER 2
CRMM.ORG
Treasure On A Deck – Steering Gear From The Battleship Oregon?
The Museum recently accepted the donation of a late 1800’s steering gear likely from the dreadnought battleship USS Oregon (BB-3). A visitor who spotted the machinery at an estate sale contacted Curator Jeff Smith, who reached the owner’s family through the estate agent. The owner owned a scrap yard for many years, and had told his family that the steering gear was removed from BB-3 when it was scrapped. While we’ve been unable to find a paper trail confirming the provenance, the machinery patent date and owner’s story make it likely that the artifact is indeed from the USS Oregon.
The Brown Telemotor provided a hydraulic link between the ship’s wheel and the ship’s steam-driven steering engines. Essentially, it was a remote control, allowing the helmsman fingertip control over the powerful steering engines – and thus the massive rudder - without a direct mechanical linkage. The Hyde Windlass Company was the machinery manufacturing component of Bath Iron Works.
from left: The steering gear was displayed on the owner’s deck with other nautical collectibles for many years.
from the manufacturer’s equipment manual.
Manufacturer’s plate USS Oregon (BB-3) in New York Harbor just after the end of the Spanish-American War, 1898.
Clockwise
Illustration
Photo: Naval History and Heritage Command
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Portland Firefighter Kelly Webber, CRMM Volunteer Boat Manager Doug Taylor, Firefighter and David Campbell Pilot Colin McGladrey and CRMM Executive Director Bruce Jones after delivering the David Campbell to Portland’s Diversified Marine, Inc shipyard.
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Bruce Jones, Executive Director
On the cover:
Worker guides the final arched beam into position, on June 27, 2025, as part of the Mariners Hall Topping Off Ceremony at Columbia River Maritime Museum.
Education Programs
The Museum in the Schools (MITS) program sends a Museum educator into K-5 classrooms in schools throughout NW Oregon and SW Washington, free of charge. MITS offers a range of maritime subject programs aligned with school curricula needs. Due to the extraordinary word of mouth reputation for excellence MITS has built among teachers and school districts over the years, in September, the school year was fully booked out only 63 hours after signups were opened.
Senior Centers across three counties welcome Education and Curatorial staff monthly for the well-loved Senior Enrichment Program. Through a presentation and close look at artifacts not currently on display, seniors can learn something new, relive a part of their past, or fill in blanks in staff knowledge.
Help us continue making a positive difference in young peoples’ lives
Generous donors and visitor-related revenue make our Education programs possible – please consider helping us maintain our Education programs with an end of year gift! Use the envelope included in this magazine or call (503) 325-2323 to make your donation to this or any other Museum program –thank you for supporting Columbia River Maritime Museum!
| Columbia River Maritime Museum
Maritime Mat Weaving is just one of many monthly Adult Education workshops connecting adult students to maritime art and traditions.
Quality, impactful Education programs for all ages are a top Museum priority
From left: Our MITS program continues to reach nearly 10,000 students each school year through engaging Science, Technology, Engineering, Arts & Math (STEAM) programming. This student is smelling a piece of cedar after learning about its importance and uses to Indigenous peoples of the Pacific Northwest.
Students on field trips to the museum can sign up for a Learning Lab based on their grade level. These programs connect youth to the water and geographic area through creative programs like this Simulated Grey Whale Necropsy.
Volunteers are essential to the Museum’s success! Our dedicated volunteers donate their time and talents across numerous departments. Volunteers also take advantage of training and enrichment opportunities like this tour of the U.S. Coast Guard Cutter Florence Finch, a new, 157 foot Fast Response Cutter stationed in Astoria.
Warnock Building Takes Shape
CRMM’s transformative Mariners Hall project is moving smartly ahead with the completion of a new parking lot around the Barbey Maritime Center, and the erection of the steel and timber beams, timber roof, and shear walls on the 24,500 square foot Warnock Building.
The community’s response to the building’s stunning architecture has been overwhelmingly positive. Thanks to the strong partnership between team members including all contractors and subcontractors, and museum staff, under the leadership of Project Director John McGowan, and the generosity of our donors, the project remains on schedule and on budget.
As work continues on the building, and preparations are made for excavation for new parking lots, exhibit design and content are being finalized for displays centered on the nearly two dozen boats, and hundreds of nautical artifacts, which will be removed from storage for our visitors to enjoy.
For those who haven’t had a chance to follow the construction in person, we are pleased to share these photographs.
Vertical steel and glue laminated timbers were erected first, followed by the straight gluelams. Note the varying curvature of the building; to maximize use of the building site, the footprint follows the curve of the railroad tracks on the north side, and Highway 30 on the south side, resulting in a building with no 90 degree angles.
Mariners Hall project is moving ahead
Placement of the first curved gluelam beam.
Trolley riders will enjoy an enticing view into Mariners Hall.
Each of the 158 roof panels is a different size.
Inserting the steel bolts. Placement of each beam required delicate, coordinated movement by a talented crew.
Beam fits together like a puzzle piece, reinforced with massive steel bolts.
Workshop attendees
Exhibit Coordination
included the architects, exhibit designers, CRMM staff and Trustees, and General Contractor.
Mariners Hall Team Celebrates Roof Topping Out
Above: Trustee and Donor Terry Graff after signing his name to the final arched beam to be placed in the roof structure.
Right from top: Opsis Architecture’s Alec Holser; StructureCraft’s Leif Johnson; Rickenbach Construction’s Jared Rickenbach; CRMM Trustee and Project Director John McGowan; CRMM Executive Director Bruce Jones speak to a crowd of Trustees, Donors and Contractors at the Topping Out Ceremony.
And they’re off!
In this undated photo from our collection, gillnetters race along Astoria’s waterfront near 12th Street, headed toward the Regatta Pavilion, where crowds would be waiting to see them pass by, in this popular annual activity.
Eagle at the Port of Astoria for public tours.
U. S. Coast Guard Cutter visits Astoria and Portland
The U. S. Coast Guard Cutter Eagle (WIX-327, sail training ship of the USCG Academy, made port calls in Astoria and Portland in conjunction with this year’s Rose Festival. Eagle was built in Hamburg for the German Navy in 1936, and taken as a war prize in 1945. The 295 foot Eagle is a three masted barque, with over 6 miles of running rigging and 22,280 square feet of sail area.
Eagle passing under the Astoria Megler Bridge enroute to Portland.
This was Eagle’s first visit to the West Coast since 2008.
CRMM Staff, Volunteers and Trustees enjoyed a VIP tour before the public opening.
Historic Fireboat David Campbell Coming to CRMM
CRMM is thrilled to announce the acceptance of the City of Portland’s donation of the retired, 1927-built fireboat, along with a $300,000 grant to assist with creating a permanent display on land near the Barbey Maritime Center. The second boat to be named after Fire Chief David Campbell, who was killed while heroically fighting a fire on June 26, 1911, Campbell is 87 feet long and has a 20 foot beam. It will be displayed with a gangway allowing access to the public when a volunteer or staff member are present. Look for more information about the display in the next Quarterdeck!
Portland Fire & Rescue fireboat David Campbell fights a dock fire along the Portland waterfront in May, 2021. | Photo: PF&R
Curator Jeff Smith inspects Campbell’s engine room, which runs virtually the length of the vessel. Banks of windows on either side of the hull let in natural light.
Some of the massive, original pumps in Campbell’s engine room. Campbell was capable of pumping 14,000 gallons per minute, drawing water directly from the river.
Retired 1927-built fireboat donated by The City of Portland
The boat is being given a top notch paint job, under the supervision of
in order to maintain a great appearance for as long as possible while displayed outdoors for the rest of its life.
One of PF&R’s new fireboats escorts Campbell to the shipyard after her farewell ceremony.
One of Campbell’s many massive, original, 1927 brass nozzles.
PF&R fireboat pilot Colin McGladrey at the helm during Campbell’s last transit under its own power.
DMI’s Crystal Palea,
An Unexpected Gift of Lasting Impact
The Museum is deeply grateful to the late Capt Bruneau for his generous decision to include the Museum as a beneficiary in the Charitable Remainder Trust (CRT) he established prior to his 2008 death. Under the terms of the CRT, which received assets in 2009, income was disbursed to other beneficiaries for 15 years. In 2024, the CRT distributed its remaining assets to CRMM, which was unaware of its designation as a beneficiary.
The bulk of the total gift of $465,278 was placed in the Museum’s endowment, where it will provide a revenue stream in perpetuity, with the balance going to fund operations and the cash reserve.
Charitable Remainder Trusts
A charitable gift while generating income
A CRT generates a potential income stream for the donor, or other beneficiaries, with the remainder of the donated assets passing to the donor’s designated charitable beneficiaries after a term of no more than 20 years.
Captain Joseph L. Bruneau was a WWII veteran of the Merchant Marine in both the Atlantic and Pacific Oceans, served as a Columbia River Bar Pilot from 1967 to 1983.
A CRT can be a good option if you want both an immediate charitable deduction and an income stream for yourself or another beneficiary. CRTs may be funded with cash, publicly traded securities, real estate, and certain other assets. Please consult a financial advisor to explore your options.
Charitable Gifts With Benefits
In 2017, longtime Trustee Ward Cook and his wife Lois generously donated their second home, then valued at approximately $500,000, to the Museum, reserving a life estate to continue occupying the home until death. In 2025, the Cooks chose to terminate the life estate early, under the condition that the home would be sold, and proceeds placed in an endowment to support the operation of the new Mariners Hall.
The home has been sold, with net proceeds to the Museum of $938,000, which will generate approximately $40,000 annually towards the significant new operations costs associated with Mariners Hall. The Museum is grateful to the Cooks for their thoughtful gift.
Creating a Life Estate
and Lois Cook
The most common way to create a life estate is for the property owner to file a new deed naming the beneficiary who will receive the property after the life tenant’s death. Please see your financial advisor or attorney to explore your options for this important way to support the nonprofits you care most about.
Page 17-18 Mariners Hall Fundraising
Reaches 97% of Goal
With a year to go until the projected October, 2026 completion of our Mariners Hall campus transformation, and the grand opening of the Warnock Building, and its world class exhibits and programs, the Museum has reached the 97% mark in our campaign to raise $31.5 million. As of September 30, 2025, 168 donors, including individuals, foundations and the State of Oregon, have donated $30,542,000, leaving $958,000 yet to raise to bring our vision to reality.
Ward
Mariners Hall Fundraising Reaches 97% of Goal
With a year to go until the projected October, 2026 completion of our Mariners Hall campus transformation, and the grand opening of the Warnock Building, and its world class exhibits and programs, the Museum has reached the 97% mark in our campaign to raise $31.5 million. As of September 30, 2025, 168 donors, including individuals, foundations and the State of Oregon, have donated $30,542,000, leaving $958,000 yet to raise to bring our vision to reality.
Your Gift Makes A Difference
Won’t you please join us as a “plankowner” of this beautiful and inspiring new building and visitor experience? Your gift, in any amount, brings us closer to our goal, and will help us serve the 115,000+ visitors who enter the Museum annually with memorable and inspiring exhibits. Your gift also helps complete the purposebuilt, dedicated classroom and interactive Science, Technology, Engineering, Arts and Math (S.T.E.A.M.) exhibit area which will inspire young people towards careers in S.T.E.A.M. professions.
Thank you for being part of our historic campus transformation!
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Back cover: Shaver Transportation Tug Samantha S in drydock at Diversified Marine, Inc.
1792 Marine Drive, Astoria, Oregon 97103
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