Another look at the processing area.

The wreck of the Edmund Fitzgerald.

Just kidding.

This is actually the wreck of Peter Iredale. We've now moved north again to Fort Stevens.

The 3 a.m. hour of October 25, 1906 was dark, windy and cold. The 275 foot long Liverpool sailing ship was struggling toward the mouth of the Columbia River on its way to Portland, Oregon. But its 25 crew and 2 stowaways weren't destined to make it there. Heavy mists obscured the beacons of the light houses and the Columbia River light ship. Soon the fated ship ran aground, and soon it broke off its top spars. Then heavy rain squalls and a fresh westerly gale pushed it ashore, where it lies to this day, now a playground of Oregon beachcombers and children. Luckily, it is not a gloomy ship of ghosts and terror---everyone was rescued by a life-saving crew from Hammond, and later congenially housed by the men at nearby Ft. Stevens. The maritime inquiry absolved the captain (master) and his mates of any wrong action in the loss of the ship.

155mm gun at Fort Stevens

Fort Stevens State Park is Oregon's largest campground and one of its loveliest parks. Visitors can enjoy miles and miles of clean ocean beaches, the wreck of the "Peter Iredale", Coffenbury lake, picnic facilities, nature trails, boating, camping, biking, horseback riding, and swimming. The campground is open year-around with 530 campsites.

Over 100 years ago, young soldiers dressed in Union blue stood watch over Fort Stevens at the mouth of the Columbia River. Originally commissioned as a Civil War fortification in 1863, Fort Stevens was deactivated as a military fort shortly after World War II. It is now an Oregon State Park. Its museum features military artifacts, guided tours, interpretive displays, movies, and living history demonstrations.