Sternwheeler Willamette Queen Runs Aground Tuesday Night

Efforts to re-float the sternwheeler will resume in the morning

Video and photo by Jerry Freeman Salem-News.com

(SALEM, Ore.) - Nobody was hurt Tuesday night when the Willamette Queen ran aground in the Willamette River around 8:00 p.m. The vessel, a landmark in Oregon's capitol city, struck a gravel bar which held the vessel fast where it currently remains with two crewmen aboard.

The Willamette Queen has had similar experiences in the past, as the river in Salem is an every changing shallow waterway. Each time though the events are fairly minor in nature and we've never heard of anyone being seriously injured.

The Willamette is a tough river to navigate.

In previous years Salem was a popular boating area, but today most of those enthusiasts visit other locations because the Willamette River is never dredged.

It is a paradox of sorts.

Environmental groups believe the river should be allowed to accumulate gravel because of fish populations. Agriculturalists say the gravel companies are tearing up valuable historic farming land to access gravel that could easily be simply removed from the river.

The Willamette Queen was unable to power itself off the gravel bank Tuesday, and a fire department boat trying to assist with a winch had their device malfunction. Two members of the vessel's crew were remaining onboard overnight and efforts to re-float the sternwheeler will resume in the morning.

Footage of the Willamette Queen Tuesday night by Jerry Freeman:

Jerry Freeman is part of a new generation of dedicated news photographers who entered the Internet news industry as a second career. He shares in common with many people who fulfilled their life dream of becoming a visual journalist. Joining the Navy at an early age, and the Oregon Army Guard a few years later, Jerry has a wide range of life experiences. He describes himself as “a truck driver with a new found passion to bear witness to the world’s events.” Teaming up with Salem-News.com he embarked on a new career as a video news photographer and reporter. Jerry's quick exhibition of natural talent and ability to shoot breaking news led to his becoming a published member of the Salem-News.com team.