Summer 2013 A Step Back in Time at Astoria Marine Construction Company

From the Wheelhouse One of the most overlooked and yet, for me, most interesting exhibits in the Museum is Kroll's Cannery Map. Located in the fishing exhibit area, this map covers the fishing grounds of the North Pacific from Alaska to the Oregon Coast, showing the location of 243 canneries that were operating in 1953: 152 canneries were operating in Alaska, 32 in Canada, and 59 in Washington and Oregon. Tucked away at the far southern boundary of the map, on the Columbia River, are Astoria and Warrenton. What captures my imagination is the fact that nearly all the fishing boats and most of the service boats used in Alaska for many years were made in boat shops on the shores of the Columbia River and Youngs Bay. During that time Astoria and its environs was the boat building capital of the Pacific Northwest.

Between the late 1880s and 1950 Oregon boat builders produced thousands of boats for the Oregon and Alaska fisheries. In 1900, the Federal Fish Commission counted 2,596 double-ended sailing gillnet boats on the lower Columbia. All of these were made in local shops. Almost all the Bristol Bay sailing gillnet boats used until 1953 were made in and around Astoria as were most of the transom-stem power boats that succeeded them.

Columbia River boat shops ranged from many small one and two man operations to large production-oriented shops such as those operated by the Columbia River Packers Association/ Bumble Bee Packing, the Union Fishermen's Cooperative Packing Company, McEachem Shipbuilding Company, Wilson Shipbuilding Company, and the Astoria Marine Construction Company.

This issue of the Quarterdeck celebrates the Astoria Marine Construction Company. Established in 1924 by Joe Dyer, this remarkable company is the only remaining operating example of the boat shops that for nearly a century made The QuarterDeck Summer 2013

Astoria and the Columbia River region so famous for its boats. It is the mission of the Museum to preserve the maritime culture of the Pacific Northwest. Preserving boats is relatively easy. Preserving canneries and shipyards is much more difficult. For this we have to rely on company records, photographs, architectural drawings, and oral histories. Over the past few years Astoria Marine Construction Company has been documented as part of the process for nomination as a National Historic Site. Michael Mathers' fine photographs of the Astoria Marine Construction Company in this Quarterdeck are an important part of the process. Worth far more than the proverbial thousand words per picture, Michael's photographic essay captures the nature and feel of AMCCO as nothing else can.

The Museum is now working with Joe's son, Tom Dyer andAMCCO's present owner, Don Fastabcnd, to produce a company history. Together, this history, Michael's photographs, and the nomination document will go a long way to preserving the legacy of this important company as part of the maritime culture of our region.

A~~ Sam Johnson Executive Director

Executive Committee H. Roger Qualman, Chairman Helena Lankton, Vice Chainnan Bruce Buckmaster, Treasurer Capt. Thron Riggs, Secretary Thomas V. Dulcich, Immediate Past Chainnan Ward Cook, Advisor George Beall. Advisor Donald Magnusen, Advisor Sam Johnson, Executive Director Trustees Rick Anderson Dale Farr Cheri Folk Jerry Gustafson Michael Haglund Dennis Hall Ted Halton, Jr. Don Haskell Bill Henningsgaard David Hill Senator Betsy Johnson Dr. Russell Keizer S. Kenneth Kirn Pamela Lum Irene Martin James McClaskey David Myers Larry Perkins Capt. Jim Richards Jeanyse Snow Mike Sorkki June Spence Guy Stephenson Bill Stevens Charles J. Swindells Shawn Teevin Bill Wyatt Trustee Emeritus Peter Brix Richard Carruthers Walter Gadsby, Jr. Alan Goudy Louis Larson Advisory Trustees Dr. Tuba Ozkan-Haller Dr. James Lerczak

On the Cover: Professional photographer Michael Mathers captures Ernie Larson as he lines up the stem of Fate Hunter so the vessel is perfectly aligned for the ways at the Astoria Marine Construction Company.

Honorary Trustees Victor G. Atiyeh Gloria R. Linkcy Mayor Willis Van Dusen

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A Step Back in Time at the Astoria Marine Construction Company Astoria Marine Construction Company was built in 1922 as a small boatyard to produce fishing vessels and yachts.

Joseph Dyer, Acme Mansker, and Clair Mansker established Astoria Marine Construction Company (AMCCO), originally called Astoria Shipbuilding. In the early 1920s Joseph Dyer borrowed $5000 from his mother and purchased a piece of property on the banks of the Lewis and Clark River.

Astoria Shipbuilding's first offir.ial contract came in 1924 for 10 Bristol Bay Gillnetters. During the late 1920s there was a growing demand among gillnetters for a high-speed boat. Joseph Dyer designed and built a tunnel-stem bowpicker, which became the standard design on the Columbia River.

In 1931 Astoria Marine was awarded their largest contract to date. Captain Fritz Elfving hired them to design and build a ferry for him, Tourist Ill, which was to transport cars and passengers across the Columbia River between Astoria, Oregon and Megler, Washington.

The yard was transformed during 1941-1942 for the wartime production expansion of World War II. The yard The QuarterDeck Summer 2013

was designed and built according to the assembly-line philosophy associated with this period of American industry when efficiency in production was the main priority. \Vhile constructing vessels for the U.S. Navy, this shipyard pioneered new techniques in minesweeper manufacturing.

For their efforts, AMCCO was awarded the Army-Navy "E" flag for outstanding production in 1944. Astoria Marine Construction Company followed the pattern of many shipyards in the country during World War II. They increased production by training multitudes of unskilled

Astoria Marine Construction Company is located in Astoria, Oregon where the Lewis & Clark River meets Jeffers Slough. The property is situated in a relatively rural area called Jeffers Gardens, separated from the City of Astoria

by Youngs Bay. CRMMPhoto

Continued on page 15

Photographer Michael Mathers Professional photographer and Astoria resident Michael Mathers was given access to the shipyard last winter to capture and document the incredible work these men and women perform.

We are honored that Don Fastabend and Michael Mathers have allowed us to share these incredible images with you.

The following pages show this legacy as it continues today.

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recruits, introducing female workers into the shipyard, and increasing work shifts until the shipyard was operating almost around the clock.

Astoria Marine Construction Company was again producing ships for a wartime effort from 1950-1955, during the Korean War. With the completion of AM-428 in 1952 AMCCO became the first shipyard in the country to build a Type I mmesweeper.

Don Fastabend, who started working at the shipyard in 1950, currently owns Astoria Marine Construction Company.

The shipyard continues to work on wood and steel vessels to this day, preserving this technology and way of life.

The yaH.l was just dlJl.HOved for listing in the National Register of Historic Places considering its significance as an example of a small-size shipyard that produced minesweepers during World War II and the Korean War. It is one of the very few remaining small shipyards in Oregon The QuarlerDeck Summer _'O 13

representative of the support facilities generated by the nation's expanding war production during World War II. The shipyard is also one of the best examples of any site in the state for preserving shipbuilding technology because of its continued use as a ship construction and repair facility. This shipyard serves as a reminder of how our country worked and fought together during World War II and the Korean War, and how the incredible effort and fortitude of workers in a small community on the Columbia River played a major role in history.

Don Fastabend and the AMCCO Crew A special thanks to Don Fastbend anct all the employees of Astoria Marine Construction, all true professionals, for allowing Michael Mathers to document the hard and difficult work they do.

Their skill and understanding of marine construction is without equal.

In 1950, AMCCO_received a contract to build five MSO non-magnetic minesweepers, the most sophisticated wooden vessels built at the time.

This class of minesweeper was constructed of non-magnetic materials, including a wooden hull and aluminum engines, in order to protect the ship itself from magnetic mines.

Astoria Marine was chosen to be the west coast lead yard for the building program, and soon would become the national lead yard for the Navy.

CRMMphoto.

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Lightship Columbia Returns Home Jim Campbell expertly guides the Lightship back to her berth with inches to spare. The move was timed for slack water high tide for the most water possihl~

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Almost a year ago the Lightship Columbia was towed away from her berth so that a new dock could be constructed.

The City of Astoria, through great efforts, had found a way to fund a new Dock at 17th Street off of the Museum Pluzu.

Over the years the dock had suffered from severe rot and was no longer able to support the needs of the Coast Guard Cutters, the primary tenants.

During the planning of the project the contractors and the City of Astoria made every effort to accommodate the Lightship and the Museum. Astoria's own Bergerson Construction built the dock, including driving 109 steel piles into the river bed; each piling had to be driven down 20 to 30 feet, requiring 1,000 to 3,000 strikes per pile. They worked throughout the winter months to complete the project.

City of Astoria Project Manager Al Jaques ensured they finished $200,000

under the $4.5 million budget. A Connect Oregon III grant funded $3.8 million; the city paid the rest.

While the lightship was away at Tongue Point the Astoria Railroad Preservutiun Association did some much needed repairs, replacing steel work on the decks and welding the Pilot House base.

After almost a year of construction, we are pleased to report that the Lightship Columbia has returned to her berth at the new 17th Street Dock (which looks amazing). Everything went very smooth and it was a safe trip home for the historic ship, thanks to the expert handling by Jim Campbell of Campbell Towing & Marine Construction Company with the assistance of the staff and students from the Tongue Point Seamanship program.

Bravo Zulu to all involved!

The Quarter/Jeck Summer 2013

Special Thanks to: Jim Campbell and Campbell Towing donated the entire move, including two tugs and crew. Jim Campbell and his crew took 600 tons of steel, at the exact slack water high tide, and gently moved the Lightship back to her berth. They made it look easy, true pros.

The Seamanship Students from the Tongue Point Job Corps sent 16 able crew and two instructors to handle all the lines. All aspiring seamen, they received the ultimate compliment from the tugboat crew for a job well done. They did an excellent job.

The City of Astoria's spectacular new Dock at 17th Street was completed in early June. The Dock, all concrete and steel, will last for decades to come.

Photo courtesy of Bergerson Construction

Bergerson Construction has been a key supporter of the Museum for decades, we would not be where we are without their continued support and generosity throughout the years. For the Lightship move they installed a new fendering system for the Lightship and reconnected the chains to hold the Lightship in the worst of winter storms.

Beecher Carlson of Portland handled all the insurance for the move. Working with short deadlines and the unusual situation of a Museum jumping in the transportation business for 24 hours they handled all the details.

17 The QuarterDeck Summer 2013

The QuarterDeck Summer 2013 The Qua1terDeck is published by the Columbia River .\1aritime Museum, 1792 Marine Drive, Astoria, Oregon 97103.

Tel: (503)325-2323 Fax: (503)325-2331

iv11w.crmm.org Edi/or: David Peanon Ediwrial Staff: Blue Anderson l limw Arroyo Betsey Ellerbroek ./11/ie Flues .Jejf'Smith Printed by Prinlgraphics

Be,nu /011,

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01 cgu11

Sign up for Woodworking Courses at the Barbey Maritime Center Northwest Native American Halibut Hooks Use traditional materials to make the halibut hooks used by Northwest Native Americans in the coastal waters of the Pacific Northwest.

These hooks are functional tools and truly beautiful works of art.

Instructor: Tony Johnson Duration: Two days Dates: Sept 14-15 $110 ($104 for Members) Northwest Native American Canoe Models Using traditional NW Native American carving tools, learn to make models of one or more of the canoe types used by the Chinook auJ ulhe1 NW Nalive Americans in Lhe inland and coastal waters of the Pacific Northwest.

Instructor: Tony Johnson Duration: Three days, non-consecutive Dates: Sept 21-22 and Oct 5 $225 ($207 for Members)

Needle and Palm Work Students will make a sail maker's "palm" and use it to make a canvas ditty bag to hold sewing tools, fids and other things used in canvas, leather, and rope work Instructor: Misty O'Brien Duration: Two days, non-consecutive Dates: Oct 5 and Oct 12 $165 ($153 for Members) Wire & Canvas Decoys Build a simple decoy made with wire and canvas. Students will learn how to make a simple but elegant Black Brant decoy under the expert tutelage of boat builder and decoy maker Sam lJevlm.

Instructor: Sam Devlin Duration: Two days Dates: Oct 5-6 $165 ($153 for Members)

Call 503 .325 .2323 for classes or visit crmm.org The QuarlerDeck Summer 20 I 3

News and Notes • The Museum has taken over the sides of 18 buses in the Portland Metro area in a new marketing push for the summer.

The new 3D Theater has proven to be a great success for the Museum, bringing in families to visit the entire Museum.

• The Museum was part of a GMC Trucks photoshoot for their website.

Keep an eye out in the next few months for the Museum building in the background of some truck ads.

• Upcoming Science on Tap presentations at Fort George's Lovell Building: October 3rd - Scott Williams, archaeologist with Washington State Department of Transportation, will talk about the latest research regarding the "Beeswax Wrerk" on the bead1 of the Nehalem River spit. Scott is the Principal Investigator for this project. CRMM has a wood pulley and beeswax from this wreck and is extremely interested in this research.

November 7th - Join us to discover more about wapato as an important food The QuarterDeck Summer 2013

source for the Native Americans of the Lower Columbia River as Melissa Darby shares her knowledge regarding this plant.

Melissa is affiliated with Lower Columbia Research and Archaeology.

See the Museum website at cmm.org for more information. The Museum also has a Facebook page. The page features daily updates and announcements of events.

Memorials It is with great sadness that we note the passing of former Museum employee Linda Bowen. Linda was the voice of the Museum for anyone calling the office; she worked as administrative support for many years. Linda was a great friend to all and will be missed.

Longtime Museum volunteer Ben Cadman has passed away. Ben will be remembered for his dedication to the Lightship, his post for many years. Serving in the Merchant Marines as a young man Ben had countless stories from adventures across the world. His friendship and sense of humor will be sorely missed.

Museum Staff: Blue Anderson 1/icma Arroyo Elaine Bauer Ce!erino Beheloni Ann Bronson linny DeKofl Betsey El!erhroek Julie Flues Helen Hon! Eileen Houchin Jim Grey Kathy Johnson Sam Johnson Karen Sexton-Josephs Arline LaMear Meeri Nauha Dee O'Brien Misty O'Brien David Pearson Blaine Phelps Hampton Scudcler Carol Shepherd Jejf.Smuh Aaron Stinnelf

Patric Valade

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Volunteers Earl Reynolds demonstrates how to measure the hull of a small boat in the wood shop at the Barbey Maritime Center.

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We have such a wonderful crew of volunteers. Our Museum could not function without them! Our volunteers interact with the public and work behind the scenes. From lightship keepers, to curatorial volunteers, tour guides, Barbey Maritime Center (BMC) workshop enthusiasts, and store volunteers these gracious community members are the face of the Museum.

The Lightship Columbia left the 17th Street dock in September so many ship volunteers took on other responsibilities to remain active members of our Museum family. Not only did the curatorial department and the store benefit from the ship leaving, but so did the workshop at the BMC. Work benches needed to be built, tools cleaned, and many other chores completed to create a desirable space for classes.

April 30th Museum staff and volunteers gathered in the Barbey Maritime Center to honor and recognize the people

that give so willingly of their valuable time. Tongue Point Job Corps culinary students provided our meal.

Five new volunteers joined our ranks in 2012. Twenty-three volunteers assisted us in a variety of ways earning more than 100 hours for the year. Special recognition was given to Doug Rich and Terry Shumaker for reaching the 300 hour mark.

Rosalie Ramsey, Peggy Dawson, and Steve Dawson received their 500 cumulative hour pin. Three volunteers added their names to our 1,000 hour plaque: Ed Steve, Chris Bennett, and Pat McDonald.

Ben Cadman-lightship, Bob Chamberlinlightship, Kenny Ginn-rope making, and Bill Williams-curatorial, have generously supported the Museum and have contributed over 3,000 hours each. No matter the task, our volunteers assist us when asked.

A total of 6,669.75 hours were volunteered in 2012. We look forward to another productive year and thank every volunteer for their efforts.

The QuarterDeck Summer 2013

New Members Aaron and Connie Adams Dennis Adams Larry Allen Steven R. and Geri-Ellen Baer Stephen Barendrick Byron D. and Judy Barton Todd and Tess Beauchamp Anthony Benjamin and Pauline Perez Allen Bennett Jessica Biros and Shawn Kinsley Chris and Gerri Boitano James and Jill Bond Heather Boyd and Matt Healy Terra Sue and David Brittell Paul Eric Bromm and Angela Marie Gorton Harold and Barbara Brown Nadine Campbell-Davis and Donna Davis Kara and Roger Cecil Kathleen Chadwell Galen and Dorothy Church Andy and Maggie Cobb Linda Cole and Sloan Wallace Nancy and Elizabeth Cole Thor and Melodie Conley Pat Corkill Christopher Crone Ron and Amy Curtis Jonathan and Amy Curzon Leslie Daniel Kevin Daw Laura De Simone and Bill R. Roulette Helen Dessen Lcoann and Katherine Douma Nancy and Dave Drummond Renee and Tim Dugan Bill and Georgette Eastland Jonathan and Julie Edwards Elaine Thomas and Cullen Pearcy Allisa and Bryce Evans Kelli and Will Ewing Tiffanie and Clifton Eyre Francis and Priscilla Fabela Capt f'hris Fam~ll Terry Finlayson and Gabe Kieffer Theron and Suzanne Fisher Mary and Josh Ford Kristine Gardner and George Sims Michael and Barbara Goertz Meredith and Moloy Good The QuarterDeck Summer JO 13

Michael Grant Scott Griffin and Dana Sullivan Kelli and Monte Hansen Ken Harding Jeff and Ronda Hazen Deanna Hogan Chris and Genny Inman Kelli Irwin and Daleane Gilpin Ramon and Lynette Isaac Eric and Christina Jacobsen Tonya and Kurt Jilbert Carol and Ben Johnson Karl and Brandy Johnson Steven and Cheryl Johnson Jonathan and Angela Johnston Stuart Jordan and Kathryn Schultz Irene S. Jue Jillian Kaltner and Lee Crusius Philip and Jenifer Katon Melvin Kawasoe Melissa and Lance Keck Janet I. Keim and Angelsea M. Keim Shawn and Barb Kennedy Cory and Nancy Kornicki Jon and Patricia Krager Becky Krom Anna Kuznetsova and Michael Marchenko Tessa and Keith Laib Martha C. and Ernest R . Larson Darrell & Kristine Lashley Kathy Lee and Larry Cahill Beverly Lethin Zoe and Marshall Manhire Jamie and Michael Matkowski Linda and Don Matthews Steven L. Maxwell John McKenzie Lara and Lee McKinley Carmel and Peter McMinn Janet R. Mead and Richard A. Cook Roberta and Paul Meunier Ralph and Sandi Miller Robert Miller Veronica and Larry Montoya Katie Murray and Bill Colwill Nathan and Tricia Needham Chuck Overton Tesha and Hiram Perry Christy Pesch I Joe and Helen Phillips LeeOni W. Pinkley

John Powell David and Stephanie Ramsey Tracy and Eldon Reade Scott and Jackie Rebiger Kristen and Keith Rimell Nicole Rittenberg and Jason Korinek Tim and Kathy Robertson Wendi Robinson Stephanie Roley Kyler and Dan Ronner-Bland Mark and Robin Rose Albert Ruhmann Luke and Jackie Schaap Eric Schuck and Calanthe Turner Melissa and Mark Slotemaker Laurel and Errin Smalley Gregory P. and Nicole Smith Ryan and Krista Smith Amy and Michael Sniezak Gary and Diane Snyder Sarah Spalding and Suzy Roehr Craig and Kristin Stetson Scott and Georgia Still Katie Rathmell and Mindy Stokes Lynne and Bruce Stratton Shiela and John Stump Andrew and Amy Sturdivant John and Shannon Tesler William and Marlene Tetlow Ryan and Charla Thompson Michael L. and Diane M. Tiedeman Karen Tobin Linda and Ralph Torres Rick and Vickie VanDerlin David T. and Barbara Vistica Cherie L. and Kerry S. Walker Karen and Brian Wegener Martha and Frederick White Juanita L. Williams and John Fallihie Chris and Rob Williamson Leslie and Glenn Williamson April Williamson-Stach and Lani Williamson Harold Wise John R. Yates and Mark Waldman Jane Zafiratos and Drew Augustin

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Memorials F. Warren Lovell

George C. Fulton Spring Quarterdeck 201 3 print correction, This was in honor of not in memory of

LoisAhola Margaret Thompson Beverly Cadman Betsey Ellerbroek Ardie Coleman Melissa Yowell Janet Daugherty Shirley P. Mustonen Chris Elfving Shirley P. Mustonen Lester Ellerbrook Lorraine Ortiz/Art Ranch Robert Frame Kim & Dan Supples Natalie Cellars Allison Zoe Cellars Ted and Pat Bugas Ernest & Virginia Barrows Ron & Gayle Timmerman Robert Kearney John Hubbell Myron and Bonnie Salo Esther Jerrell Capt. Fred B. Jerrell Ca11tain Ron Johnston Patricia McAlpin Virginia Kearney Mark & Barbara Rabin Marla Diamond and Tony Guadagno Frank and Carla Wilson Ole Lilleoren Mr. & Mrs. Donald Kessler Ann McGowan Natalie Cellars

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Colin McKay Shirley P. Mustonen Larry Meyers James W. Davis Carol B. Moore American Association of University Women Richard K. Morse Marilyn Morse Kessler Charlotte Nelson Allan Maki Robert Phillips Allan Maki Charlie Ray Arline LaMear Betsey Ellerbroek & Capt. Thron Riggs Ella P. Hill Melissa Yowell

Frankye Thom11son Paul & Helen Curtis Betsey Ellerbroek & Capt. Thron Riggs Kelly A. Silva, DDS, PC James & Dixie Jarvis Jerry Ostermiller & Lynne Johnson Arnold & Erica Curtis Max & Judy Bigby Molly Edison Peggy Olson Ernest & Virginia Barrows George Frances Crandall & Winifred Doran Ward & Doris Paldanius Gordon & Carol Wolfgram Carlisle & Lynne Krusi Arline LaMear Larry & Shirley Perkins Betty Curtis Ella P. Hill

Ted SanJOla Terri Bekken Liisa Stellmon Kristen Salo David & Heidi Fastabend Merle Burgess and Daughters Jeanne & Gabriel Olmsted Barbara & Tom Armentrout Mary & Tom Willing Helen and Scott Brown Marie Ann Yost Ocean Beauty Seafoods LLC Arthur L. Smith Evelyn M. Leqve-Smith Shawn Stich Alvis Porter Shelby Sullivan Shirley P. Mustonen Denny Thom11son Jerry Ostermiller & Lynne Johnson Peggy Olson

John McGowan Natalie Cellars The QuarterDeck Summer 2013