the
UARTERDECK
Vol. 20 No. 3
Summer 1994
A review and newsletter from the Columbia River Maritime Museum at 1792 Marine Drive in Astoria, Oregon
This intriguing photograph appears to represent behind the scenes at a turn-of-the-century Regatta. In the foreground are sailing gillnetters and two lifeboats. Behind them are the cannery scow Mary E., left, and a gentleman with straw hat in a pulling boat, center right. In middle distance at right is a fantail steam launch. In the background at right are the masts and flags of the Regatta flagship, and the pilothouse and Texas of a steamboat at left. If anyone can shed further light on this scene, please let us know. Donor, P. R. Mason. 1990.66.35
Celebrations of Regional Heritage and Maritime Arts The summer of 1994 holds in store a number of notable commemorations and events, which are highlighted in this issue of the Quarterdeck. With the first full day of summer, Clatsop County celebrated its 150th year as a governing district. Distinguished as the place where the United States gained its first foothold on the Pacific Coast, with origins in Capt. Robert Gray's voyages, the Lewis and Clark Expedition and the founding of Astoria, the local jurisdiction was one of the first districts created in the 1840s by the provisional government of Oregon.
In August of 1994 the Astoria Regatta, the longest running community celebration of its kind in the Pacific Northwest, celebrates the 100th anniversary of its inception. Long an outlet for community pride, the old-fashioned summer fun of Regatta this year will look back on a century of tradition and forward to the promise of the future as well. The Columbia River Maritime Museum serves both as a repository of regional heritage and as a site for the ongoing growth and development of new traditions, especially in the maritime arts.
In that spirit, be sure not to miss the magnificent display of West Coast Marine Art, now showing though October. And please make special note of the artists' reception scheduled for the week of Regatta. With works ranging from very traditional to quite modern, the show provides a visual treat for one and all. Also in the spirit of ongoing maritime traditions, the summer's activities all point towards the annual Lower Columbia Row-In. So polish up you boat-handling (or watching) skills and plan to be with us Sunday, August 28th.