Installing the Pilot Boat "Peacock" at the Martime Museum

October 7, 2010

It was a dark and drizzly afternoon when the pilot boat Peacock was installed at the Maritime Museum along Marine Drive in Astoria - not that we ever have dark and drizzly days in Astoria. Today I am interrupting our photo contest posts to bring you an historic Astoria event.

Thanks to Laurel and her friend Kelly for letting me know this was happening. After a quick and essential trip to the post office, I swung by to see the action. The boat had already been lowered by crane. I didn't see the transfer, but I hear that it wasn't ALL that high above the ground. I hope someone else got pix of the earlier part of the transfer.

It may be hard to tell here, but the Peacock is a LOT bigger than it appears when you see it on the water. I was lucky enough to be in the right spot at the right time with my camera to catch one of its last trips on the river going past Astoria. You can also see from the photo that the Peacock has somewhat changed its paint design.

Securing the hull. I had no idea how one would install a big boat on land, did you?

The Peacock now flies the blue flag of the Maritime Museum. The Flag has a three-masted ship on it.

This is a good opportunity to look at the exhaust pipes and the lights. What caught my attention was the gauge inside the pipe opening. I have no clue what this is about.

Working to make sure the anchor is installed right. The brown building in the background is the old train station, which I think also belongs to the Maritime Museum now, but I'm not sure.

Beautiful black letters stand out from the side of hte boat. I wonder if the use of raised metal letters is new - for display only? They look nice, but I would think it would have been a hazard for anyone unlucky enough to wash up against them on the tossing waves.

Getting it just right.

The Peacock's cabin against the sky.

This image tells volumes. I don't imagine all those crinkles were designed with the boat. Does it look like this boat has seen some intense moments crossing the bar? Maybe a few encounters with logs in the river?

Head on.

Just about done.

Lines against the sky. It seems the huge crane came all the way from Portland.

Parting shot. This is going to be quite a sight for any of us entering Astoria on Highway 30, or driving around town for that matter. There will be brighter days for better photos but never another Installation Day. Happy Installation, Peacock!

This blog is sponsored by Tapir and Friends Animal Store.