Experience
first hand how the Bar Pilots work the dangerous wind and waves during
a fierce winter storm in the award winning orientation film The Great
River of the West.
Walk
on board the bridge of a WWII era US Navy Destroyer, see the world class
collection of maritime artifacts, and then walk out to the dock to explore
the Lightship Columbia, a floating lighthouse.
New Exhibit for Summer 2010
The Columbia River Maritime Museum is pleased to announce the opening of the new exhibit Crossing the Bar: Perilous Passage.
The Exhibit takes an exciting look at the legendary Columbia River entrance, where the forces of the mighty Columbia River and the Pacific Ocean meet, creating one of the most dangerous crossings on the planet.
The Pacific Northwest is no stranger to winter weather, but nothing can compare to the extreme forces at work at the Columbia River Bar. Waves can exceed 40 feet in height during the worst winter storms.
“The new exhibit features dramatic never before seen video of rough water passages, captured while working with the US Coast Guard and the Columbia River Bar Pilots during fierce winter storms” says Museum Senior Curator Jeffrey Smith. Also on display is a rare Bar Pilot Pulling Boat, used to transfer pilots to ships for decades. This historic boat is from the collections of the Museum.
A dramatic interactive shipwreck map of the Columbia River Bar shows the terrible loss the wind and waves have claimed during the last 200 years. Since the earliest explorers, hundreds of vessels have been lost to the fury of the Columbia River Bar.
This exciting exhibit promises a full interactive experience for all visitors and a great adventure for the entire family.
