The Portland is still an operational boat. Because of U.S Coat Guard Regs.  Its boilers are deemed out dated and it can not be used to haul  passengers. However the club that maintains it can take it out on cruises for themselves occasionally.   A couple years ago I had a free guided tour of it.  Took a few pictures of pilot house, paddlewheel  and engine room.  I can try to post some of the pictures if interested.  It has an unusual (to me) method for the eccentrics.  Rather than being back on the paddlewheel they were inside.  The eccentrics were mounted on a stand with a drive shaft. The drive shaft has a long bar sticking out at 90 degrees from it.  This bar runs (slides)  through another rotating  shaft  mounted on the pitman arm. As the pitman moves back and forth and up and down to operate the wheel crank it moves the second shaft in an eliptical motion therefore turning the eccentric shaft.  Quite and interesting concept.  This keeps the eccentrics out of the weather and elements.   Would like to see it operating.  Try this site.

http://www.magazineusa.com/us/cityguide/show.aspx?state=or&unit=portland&doc=10

Bill

It certainly sounds interesting Bill, I'd sure like to see some photos as I tend to like the American paddlers!

I have added a photo of the pilot house  (wheel) of the Portland to the photo gallery.  You can now see the paddle wheel, engines and reversing  gear there.

Bill

PS.

The Portland was fitted out to look like a Mississippi Sternwheeler for a movie ( The Gambler I believe)  Staring Clint Eastwood.  He supposedly sat in the chair in the picture.   :mrgreen: