The sailing vessel Peter Iredale sank off the Columbia River bar in 1906. We saw the hulk of the Iredale today at Oregon's Fort Stevens State Park. It is one of some 2,000 ships to have been lost in this treacherous water since Captain Robert Gray made the first passage over the bar in 1792. Gray's discovery and naming of the Great River of the West (The Columbia) gave the United States a basis for territorial claims of the contested Pacific Northwest.

The violent and dynamic ocean that wrecked the Peter Iredale gave the Lewis and Clark party a rough time when they reached the West Coast in late 1805. They spent several days trying to camp in the pounding surf and relentless wind on the north side of the river. Finally, they crossed over to the Oregon side and established their winter camp at Fort Clatsop, near Astoria, Oregon.

After the Sea Bird docked in Astoria this morning, we toured the excellent Columbia River Maritime Museum. We also visited both Fort Clatsop and Fort Stevens State Park. Our experience was much more pleasant than those of the Peter Iredale or Lewis and Clark. The sun was shining and the sky was clear. Spring flowers were in bloom, and we had comfortable transportation.