Newport in Lincoln County, Oregon — The American West (Northwest)

Shipping News

Photographed By Duane and Tracy Marsteller, June 28, 2021

1. Shipping News Marker

Inscription. In 1861 word about beds of a rare rock oyster on Yaquina Bay spread to San Francisco. Ships came for the oysters which were served at top restaurants on the west and east coasts. Local Indians, in particular women, were hired to harvest the oysters. Legal disputes erupted about whether companies could take the oysters without compensating members of the reservation, but by 1869 the native oyster beds were depleted. Capt. James J. Winant was among those who stayed and made Yaquina Bay their home.

When the railroad came west to Yaquina City in 1886, the owners hoped to make the Bay a major port for those traveling the west coast, but efforts met with minimal success. The Army's construction of a major spruce mill during WW II triggered the largest shipping boom. C.D. Johnson purchased the mill, and by 1924 almost 465,000 tons of commerce was being shipped through Yaquina Bay.

Captions (clockwise from top right):
• The C. W. Pasley, 1948, one of two ships sunk to create McClean Point International Dock.
• Norway's Falkanger at McLean Point International Dock, 1949.
• S.S. Noman E. Mack, 1948, South Beach dock, built in 1947 by C. D. Johnson.
• Capt. James J. Winant's S. S. Mischief, ca. 1886.
• (inset) Rock oyster queen, Newport, Oregon

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Port of Newport.

Topics. This historical marker is listed in these topic lists: Industry & Commerce • Native Americans • Waterways & Vessels. A significant historical year for this entry is 1861.

Location. 44° 37.181′ N, 124° 3.195′ W. Marker is in Newport, Oregon, in Lincoln County. Marker can be reached from Southeast Marine Science Drive, on the right when traveling west. Marker is beneath south end of Yaquina Bay Bridge near the Newport Crabbing Pier. Touch for map. Marker is at or near this postal address: 2320 SE Marine Science Drive, Newport OR 97365, United States of America. Touch for directions.

Other nearby markers. At least 8 other markers are within walking distance of this marker. Bridging the Waters (here, next to this marker); South of the Bay (here, next to this marker); Protecting the Coast (a few steps from this marker); Reeling Them In (a few steps from this marker); Bayfront Beginnings (a few steps from this marker); United States Coast Guard Motor Lifeboat CG 36503 (approx. half a mile away); Yaquina Bay Bridge (approx. half a mile away); Yaquina Bay Light (approx. half a mile away). Touch for a list and map of all markers in Newport.

Photographed By Duane and Tracy Marsteller, June 28, 2021

2. Shipping News Marker

Credits. This page was last revised on July 11, 2021. It was originally submitted on July 11, 2021, by Duane and Tracy Marsteller of Murfreesboro, Tennessee. This page has been viewed 86 times since then and 9 times this year. Photos: 1, 2. submitted on July 11, 2021, by Duane and Tracy Marsteller of Murfreesboro, Tennessee.