Coos Bay in Coos County, Oregon — The American West (Northwest)
Tugboat Ancestors
Photographed By Cosmos Mariner, June 24, 2015
1. Tugboat Ancestors Marker
The first tugs on Coos Bay were steam-powered, usually towing log rafts or piloting sailing ships in and out of port.
Gasoline and diesel internal combustion engines arrived in the early 1900s and began to replace steam engines. By the 1950s the era of steam was over.
Where are they now?
Even though a well-built tug can last a long time, having a useful life of 50 years or more, it's a tough and sometimes dangerous life. Years ago many tugs were lost in stormy weather or wrecked crossing the bar. Now accidents are rare due to modern equipment and better knowledge of weather and sea conditions.
Topics and series. This historical marker is listed in this topic list: Waterways & Vessels. In addition, it is included in the Lost at Sea series list.
Location. 43° 22.087′ N, 124° 12.717′ W. Marker is in Coos Bay, Oregon, in Coos County. Marker is on Oregon Coast Highway (U.S. 101) north of Central Avenue, on the right when traveling north. Marker is located in an interpretive kiosk along the Coos Bay Board Walk, overlooking the Marshfield Channel. Touch for map. Marker is in this post office area: Coos Bay OR 97420, United States of America. Touch for directions.
Other nearby markers. At least 8 other markers are within walking distance of this marker. What is a Tugboat? (here, next to this marker); Tug Power (here, next to this marker); Koos No. 2 (a few steps from this marker); Shipping (a few steps from this marker); Steve Roland Prefontaine
this page online
Also see . . . Loss of the Fearless 20 Nov 1889.
Formerly a brig named the Star of China. Ran aground in 1873, refloated, and converted into a tugboat. Loss not discovered until the next day when debris and one survivor washed ashore. However, he perished before he could reveal the final fate of the Fearless. (Submitted on February 18, 2018, by Cosmos Mariner of Cape Canaveral, Florida.)
Photographed By Cosmos Mariner, June 24, 2015
2. Tugboat Ancestors Marker (wide view; Coos Bay Board Walk to the right)
Photograph courtesy of the Victor West Collection
3. Marker detail: Steam Tugs Columbia (1892) and Fearless (1874)
Steam Tug Columbia was built in 1892.
Steam Tug Fearless, built in 1874, lost in a storm at the mouth of the Umpqua River, 1889
Steam Tug Fearless, built in 1874, lost in a storm at the mouth of the Umpqua River, 1889
Photograph courtesy Knutson Towboat Company
4. Marker detail: Sternwheeler Steam Tug Powers, 1910
Photograph courtesy Knutson Towboat Company
5. Marker detail: Powers towing a log raft, 1912
The Powers was built at a Coos Bay shipyard, as was the steam tug Columbia.
Photograph courtesy of the Victor West Collection
6. Marker detail: Steam tug Columbia towing the David Evans, early 1900s
Credits. This page was last revised on February 18, 2018. It was originally submitted on February 18, 2018, by Cosmos Mariner of Cape Canaveral, Florida. This page has been viewed 256 times since then and 22 times this year. Photos: 1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 6. submitted on February 18, 2018, by Cosmos Mariner of Cape Canaveral, Florida. • Andrew Ruppenstein was the editor who published this page.
