Brass Butterfly

September 13, 2010

Can you guess what this is? I noticed it in front of the Maritime Museum the other day. I'm not sure when it was installed, but it's reasonably new there.

As I back up, you'll be getting more of a clue.

This is a beautiful and interesting object from many angles.

The propeller was installed as a memorial for all to enjoy and learn from. It's impressively large - taller than a person.

Thanks to friends and family of Arthur E. Farr, the museum has a new and interesting display right along the River Walk. I found adults of about my own age or so clamboring onto the concrete, wrapping themselves in the blades, and posing for photos. I didn't get a great shot of them, or I would have included it. In the photo above the plaque, you can see they've moved on to pose with the anchor display. It seems that Arthur and the propeller will be remembered happily for a long time.

I didn't know Arthur E. Farr, but he was honored by the Propeller Club in 1993. You can read more about the Columbia River Propeller Club here. It seems the Columbia River chapter was merged with the Portland Shipping Club and is still active under that name.

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