Quarterwheeler Jean

[Tony Mattson]

Just a short note, that might be of particular interest to Gary:

I'm not sure whether you know already but I've just found out that
the original Jean is currently undergoing a retrofit at the
Diversified Marine, Inc., shipyards in Portland, Oregon.

Kurt Redd at DM advises me that during the course of the retrofit
they are having a set of drawings produced for her.

What an opportunity to get up close and personal with a
quarterwheeler! Wisht I wuz a little closer than the other side of
the Pacific!

kind regards
Tony
Akl,NZ

[GJ. Nelson]

That is interesting. The old guy that owned it must have died.
I wonder if it is the museum that is doing it. They own the
restored Portland. I'll have to contact Diversified and see if it is
out of the water. If so I'll see if I can get some hull pictures.

Thanks Tony.

Gary

[Paulrjordan]

I came across a website which has the following item of interest for
sale.
__________________________________________________________________
Very rare, original shipbuilder's plaque from the last stern wheel
river boat built in America. This heavy bronze plate is cast in high
relief "JEAN / Western Transportation Co. / Built By / Commercial
Iron Works / Portland, Oregon / Hull No. 15 May, 1938." It measures
10 by 19 inches, weighs 15 pounds and is in outstanding original
condition. This plaque was affixed to the front of the pilot house of
the sternwheeler JEAN. The mate to it, affixed to the bulkhead of the
engineroom, is now in the collection of the Oregon Maritime Museum
and Center in Portland, Oregon. This plaque comes with two large,
very finely executed blueprint-type line drawings of JEAN with plan,
profile, section and end on views executed by Ed Newubaurer former
curator. A very historical museum piece complete with valuable vessel
information!

The unique twin stern wheel steam tug JEAN was built by Commercial
Iron Works, Portland, Oregon in 1938 for the Western Transportation
Co., a subsidiary of Crown Zellerbach Corp. The 140 foot long vessel
which displaced 533 tons was designed by W. D. McLaren of Vancouver,
British Columbia to tow logs and handle large barges on the Columbia
and Willamette Rivers. She operated until 1957. Stripped of her
machinery and equipment, as of 1997 she was still afloat in the Snake
River near Lewiston, Idaho in poor condition under private ownership.

In July 2004 it came to our attention that JEAN had been towed from
its resting place in Idaho back to its origins near Portland, Oregon
on the Columbia slough. Her present status is unknown. However it
would appear that there may be a move afoot to preserve the venerable
old lady, making this important original builder's relic all the more
valuable!
___________________________________________________________________

And just in case any of you seriously want to consider purchasing
it..the price is US2500.00

I have uploaded a picture of the plate (not "plaque")to oour photo
album section at:
http://photos.groups.yahoo.com/group/paddleducks/lst?.dir=/Quarter+Whe
eler+Jean&.src=gr&.view=

PJ
Victoria, BC Canada

[GJ. Nelson]

I just talked to Diversified. The Jean is tied up there.
They don't own it. Nothing is sure but there is some
chance they may restore it.

Gary

[byb6161]

I was looking over the fine model of the quarter wheeler Jean and noted that
she was driven via pitman to crank on the outside and that the model used
chain drive on the inside. so I was wondering in the origional Jean what
engine set up did she have
thankyou
jefferny

[GJ. Nelson]

The Jean had 2 steam engines for each wheel which
is the norm for a steam stern wheeler. They were set up
90 degrees of rotation apart. The chain drives on the
model were easy and cheap to do and well hidden.
One of the many reasons I chose to build her. But
the biggest reason was controllability. People see it
but don't believe it.

Gary