Astoria in Clatsop County, Oregon — The American West (Northwest)

Pilot Boat Peacock

Photographed By Cosmos Mariner, July 9, 2015

1. Pilot Boat Peacock Marker

Inscription. The Pilot Boat Peacock was built to meet the challenging conditions at the mouth of the Columbia River.

Pilots transferred to and from ships by means of the retrievable daughter boat off the stern.

The vessel is based on a North Sea rescue boat, built to go out in the worst of storms. The Peacock allowed the Columbia River Bar Pilots to work safely in extreme wave conditions.

Topics. This historical marker is listed in these topic lists: Industry & Commerce • Waterways & Vessels.

Location. 46° 11.379′ N, 123° 49.232′ W. Marker is in Astoria, Oregon, in Clatsop County. Marker is at the intersection of Marine Drive (U.S. 30) and 20th Street, on the left when traveling east on Marine Drive. Marker is located beside the Pilot Boat Peacock, a public outdoor exhibit at the Columbia River Maritime Museum. Touch for map. Marker is at or near this postal address: 1792 Marine Drive, Astoria OR 97103, United States of America. Touch for directions.

Other nearby markers. At least 8 other markers are within walking distance of this marker. Columbia River Bar (here, next to this marker); A Great Artery of Transportation (approx. 0.2 miles away); A Waterfront at Work (approx. ¼ mile away); Into the Unknown (approx. 0.3 miles away); Ranald MacDonald (approx. 0.3 miles

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away); Site of Original Settlement of Astoria (approx. 0.3 miles away); Fort Astoria (approx. 0.3 miles away); 14th Street Ferry Slip (approx. 0.4 miles away). Touch for a list and map of all markers in Astoria.

Related markers. Click here for a list of markers that are related to this marker.

Also see . . .
1. Historical pilot boat comes to shore.
The Peacock played a pivotal role in the history of the Columbia River's economy when the shipping industry shifted gears in the 1960s and needed to move containers on increasingly tight schedules. With a 23-foot deployable daughter boat mounted on the stern and a top speed of 22.5 knots, the Peacock revolutionized the bar pilots' ability to board cargo ships in stormy weather, dramatically reducing bar closures to a few days a year and keeping Columbia River ports competitive with others on the West Coast. (Submitted on January 19, 2018, by Cosmos Mariner of Cape Canaveral, Florida.)

2. The famous Columbia River Bar Pilot boat "Peacock" heads to shore for good.
The famous Columbia River Bar Pilot boat "Peacock" which served the Columbia River shipping industry from 1967 to 1999, is lifted ashore to display at the Columbia River Maritime Museum in Astoria, Oregon (Submitted on January 19, 2018, by Cosmos Mariner of Cape Canaveral, Florida.)

Pilot Boat Peacock Marker (<i>wide view; showing adjacent marker on left</i>) image. Click for full size.

Photographed By Cosmos Mariner, July 9, 2015

2. Pilot Boat Peacock Marker (wide view; showing adjacent marker on left)

Pilot Boat <i>Peacock</i> (<i>wide view</i>) image. Click for full size.

Photographed By Cosmos Mariner, July 9, 2015

3. Pilot Boat Peacock (wide view)

Pilot Boat <i>Peacock</i> (<i>bow view</i>) image. Click for full size.

Photographed By Cosmos Mariner, July 9, 2015

4. Pilot Boat Peacock (bow view)

Pilot Boat <i>Peacock</i> (<i>propeller view</i>) image. Click for full size.

Photographed By Cosmos Mariner, July 9, 2015

5. Pilot Boat Peacock (propeller view)

Pilots, Operators and Crew of <i>Peacock</i> image. Click for full size.

Photographed By Cosmos Mariner, July 9, 2015

6. Pilots, Operators and Crew of Peacock

Credits. This page was last revised on February 14, 2021. It was originally submitted on January 19, 2018, by Cosmos Mariner of Cape Canaveral, Florida. This page has been viewed 970 times since then and 135 times this year. Photos: 1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 6. submitted on January 19, 2018, by Cosmos Mariner of Cape Canaveral, Florida. • Bill Pfingsten was the editor who published this page.