10/28: The Columbia Story, Pt. V

[Al Lutz]

Steve concludes his series on Disneyland's Sailing Ship, Part Five - Discuss it here!

DIRECT ARTICLE LINK: MiceAge.com - A different look at Disney...

[Eagleman]

Once again The Story and the History of the Columbia was very Interesting
STEVE!
I learn something new about GUNS on a Ship and What use for......
When I was Kid I remeber were both Fort Wilderness and Columbia would give out
"bangs" saluting shots to eash other"!
I though that so neat....and I miss that.....But so glad the Columbia still does it.
Again Steve Thank You
and to all work on this great story!
PS: With WDW Magic Kingdom -Liberty Square does any one know why .....
they do not have a sailing ship like the COLUMBIA?

[Steve DeGaetano]

Thanks, Eagleman.

As for WDW, you're right--they should have a Columbia! I suppose that since they once had two river boats, they didn't need a third ship.

[triesch]

What a fantastic series, Steve! I thoroughly enjoyed every installment, and truly learned a thing or two.

When it came to creating the Columbia, Walt could have just said "They'll never know the difference." But, it's definitely just such attention to detail and historical accuracy that makes me love Disneyland the way I do.

Thanks for deepening my appreciation of this treasure on the River!

[RiverRat]

Just to point out, the Columbia does have its name engraved on its brass bell. You have to look closely though because most of it has been warn away over the years. You might also have to turn the bell to see as it is on one side.

[StartedByAMouse]

Originally Posted by RiverRat

Just to point out, the Columbia does have its name engraved on its brass bell. You have to look closely though because most of it has been warn away over the years. You might also have to turn the bell to see as it is on one side.

Though it is tough to see on the photo used in the story, you can make out the engraving somewhat. It was more visible on one of the other shots I took for Steve, which wasn't used, but with the sunny conditions of the highly polished bell, I guess it wasn't readily noticed.

Here's a closer shot taken on an overcast day that shows the engraving better:


Matt

[Steve DeGaetano]

Thanks, River Rat and Matt. The changes have been made.

[WillyWonka]

Here are some pictures that didn't make it into the article, but I thought they're pretty neat...

What would the Columbia have looked like entering the River, sailing in and around the Pacific Northwest?

Well, probably very much like this.





(...minus the small motor boats).

This is the HMS Bounty (replica), sailing into Talfino, BC.. not far from Vancouver. You might remember from the article that the Columbia was likely to be VERY similar to the Bounty, so we certainly can substitute the images. This Bounty also shows a realistic coloring of a 1780 ship.

Note too that the ship is sailing in under topsails only, plus the foresail and a staysail. This is very typical of a "coasting configuration", something the Columbia would have done while in the River (also seen at the opening of Master and Commander--the Surprise coasting along slowly).

If you want a realistic imagine of the Columbia ACTUALLY sailing, it doesn't get much better than seeing this.



(Note that this Bounty, too, was built by Disney. She was built for a movie about the HMS Bounty. And because her existence was based entirely for a movie, she is built 33% bigger than the original. In another word, the Columbia would have been a little bit smaller).

Preston

[Steve DeGaetano]

Looks like the Bounty has four spars per main and fore mast, while the Columbia only has three.

Which is more accurate?

[WillyWonka]

Both (or neither). It's just simply a different rigging.

[twobluestripes]

i adore this whole series, steve! thank you so much for doing it.


tell me, preston, would a slender girl such as myself without much physical strength be able to fair alright if she were to volunteer to crew on a tall ship such as the lady washington? hmmm?

[WillyWonka]

It's not really that hard physically. It's just that the days are long (12 hours is typical; 14 hours is not out of the question). You should never have to worry about your physical ability. We have retirees in 70s and 80s that sail with us.

Here's a little PSA someone did for us.

YouTube - Lady Washington: Sails, Song, and the Sea

[twobluestripes]

Originally Posted by WillyWonka

It's not really that hard physically. It's just that the days are long (12 hours is typical; 14 hours is not out of the question). You should never have to worry about your physical ability. We have retirees in 70s and 80s that sail with us.

Here's a little PSA someone did for us.

YouTube - Lady Washington: Sails, Song, and the Sea

alright! this summer, i'm IN! i should give your guys a call and get that all organized as soon as i have my available dates, eh?

[twobluestripes]

slightly related: either steve or the gray's harbor webmaster is spelling preston's last name wrong... The Historical Seaport: Crew Community

[Steve DeGaetano]

Originally Posted by twobluestripes

slightly related: either steve or the gray's harbor webmaster is spelling preston's last name wrong... The Historical Seaport: Crew Community

Usually I would be responsible for any mis-spellings, but this time I'm good.