Images of United States Lightship Columbia
United States Lightship Columbia and its collection
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The United States lightship Columbia (WLV-604) is a significant part of maritime history. It was put into service in 1951 for the United States Coast Guard at the mouth of the Columbia River. This lightship played a crucial role in guiding ships through the Columbia River's sandbank and an area known as the Pacific Graveyard.
The Fourth and Last Lightship
The Columbia was the fourth and last lightship stationed at the mouth of the Columbia River. It was built by the Rice Brothers Corporation in Boothbay, Maine, and launched with its twin ship, Relief (WLV-605). The new WLV-604 replaced the aging LV-93, which had been in service on the Columbia River since 1939.
Columbia as a Museum Ship
The Columbia is now a museum ship, displayed at the Columbia Maritime Museum in Astoria, Oregon. It was added to the National Register of Historic Places on February 17, 1978, and named a National Historic Landmark on December 20, 1989. The Columbia is located next to the navigation buoy that replaced it in 1979.
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ENLightship Columbia (WLV604)
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