The Henderson - Gone by Not Forgotten - Hood River, Oregon
Posted by: 
BruceS
N 45° 42.664 W 121° 30.428
10T E 616196 N 5063029
Historical marker giving a brief history of a Columbia River steamer.
Waymark Code: WM68VH
Location: Oregon, United States
Date Posted: 04/25/2009
Views: 4
Text of marker:
The Henderson
Gone but NOT forgotten
Sternwheeler traffic reach a fevered-pitch with the completion of Cascade Locks in 1896. Steam-powered paddlewheelers provide a vital link between The Dalles and Portland. The trip averaged six hours on a good day, and pompetion was stiff amoung shipping lines vying to transport timber, produce, and passengers.
The 160-foot sternwheeler M.F. Henderson was built by the Shaver Transportation Co. in 1901 as combination freighter and tow-boat. In 1911, during an overhaul, she lost the initials "M.F." and became the Henderson. The Henderson enjoyed a long and distinguished career on the Columbia towing log rafts, pushing barges, and tugging ships. By 1950, the Henderson was one of only two wood-hulled sternwheelers still working the river.
In December 1956, with a grain ship in tow, the Henderson encountered heavy swells near the mouth of the Columbia. The vessel's hull pounded so hard against the unyielding tow that the crew was forced to beach her near Columbia City. Declared a "constructive total loss," the Henderson languished on the shore until she was burned to salvage scrap metal in 1964.
Side bar text:
In 1952, the Henderson particiated in the last sternwheeler race on the Columbia River. Although favored to beat the Port of Portland's new steel-hulled sternwheeler the Portland, the Henderson fell behind earlin the reace when she lost steam. The engin crew quickly shunted live steam into her low pressure cylinder until the paddlewheel approached 30 rpm. Actor Jimmy Stewart and other cast members of the film Bend of the River were on board to cheer the vessel on--the Henderson came from behind and beat the Portland in the 3.6-mile race.
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