Journey Through Portland’s Maritime History

Dec. 16, 2013 - PRLog -- The newest addition to Arcadia Publishing’s popular Images of America series is Portland’s Maritime History by Rebecca Harrison and Daniel Cowan. The book boasts more than 200 vintage images.

This new pictorial history book tells the story of how Portland is not only the site of numerous marine terminals along the Willamette and Columbia Rivers but also home to much of our American maritime history. Vintage images culled from local shipyards illuminate how Portland shipbuilding started in 1840 with construction of the schooner Star of Oregon. Over 100 years later, three Portland shipyards would build 621 ships for the war effort.

Images of America: Portland’s Maritime History reflects the flavor of the maritime expansion along the waterfront. Both before and after World War II, several steel and iron companies used the harbors in Portland for their manufacturing. Aside from production, Portland ships over 13 million tons of cargo every year and is the biggest shipper of wheat in the United States. The book displays the maritime history of Portland in hopes that readers will have a deeper appreciation for maritime history in the Northwest.

Highlights of Portland’s Maritime History include:

•The history of the early steam sternwheelers built along Portland’s riversides.
•Documents over a thousand Liberty and Victory ships built in Portland’s shipyards during WWII.
•Details Russian freighter the Illitch, which capsized and sank in 40 feet of water just next to the St. Johns Drydock on June 24, 1944.
•Shows the Willamette River as the pride of Portlanders who fish, paddle, sail, pleasure-boat, swim and enjoy nature, due to its proximity to the city.

Available at area bookstores, independent retailers, and online retailers, or through Arcadia Publishing at (888)-313-2665 or online.

Arcadia Publishing is the leading publisher of local and regional history in the United States.  Our mission is to make history accessible and meaningful through the publication of books on the heritage of America’s people and places.  Have we done a book on your town?  Visit www.arcadiapublishing.com/.