Sternwheeler makes Labor Day appearance in Rainier

Rainier residents and anglers got a good look at The Columbia Gorge Sternwheeler over the weekend. The vessel was docked in Longview Sunday night and then positioned mid-river Labor Day morning for a private charter event for the Oregon Auto Dealers Association (OADA).

Rainier was designated as the official pick-up point to board The Sternwheeler, as approximately 100 OADA representatives made their way to Gearheart, via Rainier and Astoria, for a convention.

According to General Manager Steve Caputo, The Sternwheeler M/V Columbia Gorge, Columbia River Launch Services provided the small boat transfers between the transient dock out to The Sternwheeler. This was due to size restrictions preventing the boat from being able to dock for direct boarding. Caputo said it takes six hours for the Sternwheeler to travel from Rainier to Astoria.

In addition to transporting people, arrangements were made to load and transport vehicles via car carrier to Astoria for pick-up by OADA members once they departed The Sternwheeler. This enabled the passengers to continue their journey the rest of the way to Gearheart.

The Columbia Gorge Sternwheeler was built in Hood River by the Nichols Brothers and launched into the water in 1983. It is 145 feet in length and weighs 92 gross tons. The paddlewheel is 17 feet in diameter. According to the Sternwheeler website, it is built and operated as a replica of the sternwheelers that plied the Columbia starting as early as the 1850s.

Sternwheelers are easily recognizable by the large paddle-driven wheel positioned at the back of the vessel. The boats were originally steam-powered and heavily used for commercial endeavors and have a rich history tied to the Columbia River and the Pacific Northwest.

"One of our big features is the narration," said Caputo. "The primary captain on board has been on the boat since it was built 40 years ago so his knowledge base for the river is impressive. He can narrate the river from Astoria to Tri-Cities."

While The Sternwheeler is available for private charter the main business is regularly scheduled cruises from the home base of Cascade Locks, Ore. Cruise offerings include a Bonneville Dam Lockage tour of four hours, dinner and brunch Cruises of two and a half hours, and expedition tours of the Columbia Gorge and a sunset cruise of two hours. Caputo shared they also coordinate with senior centers from around the area that bring groups of 20 to 40 via bus.

For more information on The Columbia Gorge Sternwheeler and cruise offerings, visit sternwheeler.com.