Salem's Willamette Queen Runs Aground Near McLain Island

Coast Guard responds to grounded vessel near Salem, Ore.

The Willamette Queen Salem-News.com photo

(SALEM, Ore.) - Nobody was hurt Sunday when a Salem landmark, the Willamette Queen sternwheeler, ran aground near Mclain Island in the Willamette River. The vessel is owned by Captain Richard Chesbrough of Salem, but apparently had a different captain at the time of the grounding.

Coast Guard investigators found no pollution or apparent damage during the investigation into the grounding of the commercial passenger vessel Willamette Queen near Salem Monday.

The Willamette Queen had 22 persons aboard when it ran aground at approximately 7:00 p.m. Sunday near Mclain Island on the Willamette River, Coast Guard officials said.

All passengers were removed from the vessel while the captain and an engineer remained aboard to monitor the situation. No injuries have been reported. The vessel was towed back to its dock in Salem at Riverfront Park.

The company arranged for commercial salvage to tow the vessel back to its pier. The Coast Guard is requiring the vessel to complete a full damage survey prior to resuming services.

A more complete investigation into the circumstances of the loss of vessel control and grounding continues.