Baltimore (cruiser)

An important event in marine circles on the Columbia River in 1892 was the arrival at Astoria and Portland of the cruisers Baltimore and Charleston, the largest vessels that ever entered the river. They came to Astoria to participate in the celebration, on May 12th, of the hundredth anniversary of the discovery of the Columbia. The attendant ceremonies lasted for three days, and the barkentine Chehalis, representing the ship Columbia, made a tour of the lower bay, anchoring off Chinook Point, where painted Indians in log canoes paddled out and offered the Boston men fish and furs as in olden times. After the celebration the Baltimore and Charleston were taken to Portland, the former leading the way in charge of Pilot William H. Patterson, and the Charleston following with Pilot William Smith. Each pilot received a handsome watch from the Portland Chamber of Commerce as a testimonial to his skill in safely taking the leviathans so far inland. In connection with this event the Spokane, Wash., Review published

Citation: Tacoma Public Library