Greetings all;
The Shasta currently sits on the Columbia between Deer Island and Goble, Oregon; Just off of hwy. 30
I would be happy to tour her with anyone who contacts me with an interest. The ship is in a state of disrepair, that while not beyond hope, would still require many man-hours of elbow grease and no small amount of dollars to bring her around to her former glory. She does float; we had a hull survey done in 1998 which was favorable, and at that time we made the recommended repairs. We do have to pump her out periodically due to rain water getting in through numerous smashed windows.
She has been plagued by tweekers and pirates in recent years who have done her no favors, and 10 years sitting in the elements have not either.
Our plan originally was to convert her to floating condos. we went to the legislature, which subsequently led to a bill passed specifically to allow that; the first of its kind. However, the condo market in Portland hasd become bloated and over built, while the market flattened out. The plan died.
Next we tried to secure the San Mateo together with the Shasta into a proposal for a floating Casino in a partnership with a Native American group in The Gorge. That would have guaranteed the preservation of both ships for years to come, with plenty of dollars for their continued upkeep, but there was opposition to a casino there regardless of it's form and while that debate continues, we eventually withdrew from it.
She has sat since with no further plans on our part. Now we must remove her from our inventory and concentrate on the brick and mortar which is our forte.
We bought her in '98 from the Roylance family who had shuttered the River Queen restaurant two years before, due to Bill Roylance's ill health and the restaurant itself was long overdue for a makeover and was suffering from deferred maintenance. Bill eventually died and his widow wanted no more of it, it had been their life for 30+ years and she wanted to move on.
When she was converted into a restaurant in 1962, all of the ferry seating and snack bar went away. a kitchen, dance floor and bar took their place. On the car deck, the entire space was converted into a dining/ bar/ banquet space. Everything running from the engine to the stack was cut out to capture that space for use. The engine remains, but is of no use at this point.
On the upside, I have received a decent response to some Craigslist postings I did, and several groups have come to tour her with a variety of plans in mind: restoration for a floating museum, conversion into a floating home, a B&B and a floating woman's shelter to name a few. Interest has come from San Francisco, Portland and Seattle. Personally, I think keeping her in the Portland area makes the most sense, but I do have a bias there... Taking her upon the ocean to SF or Seattle would be a feat and one would probably want to place her on a barge for such a trip. Tug boats are not secured cheaply either.
All that said, I believe that she deserves better than the scrapper's torch and I know that someone with passion and effort could do something great with her. She is on the historic register, and that mostly governs her exterior appearance, one could do whatever they wanted to for the interior, and there is plenty of room to do it. She really will go to the first person who puts up their hand and says " I'll Take her".
If anyone has even a passing interest in her and would like a tour, contact me @ 503.227.3278 and I can set up a tour time. Thanks for your interest,
Michael Beardsley
[email protected]
Many parties there over the years. Sad to see the Queen in such a mess.
Posted by: Larry | November 01, 2009 at 08:09 AM
What a shame to she her so deteriorated...
Posted by: Peter | November 01, 2009 at 09:00 AM
And there my wife and I enjoyed the best Prime Rib with Yorkshire Pudding ever.
Could it return?
Posted by: Allen | November 01, 2009 at 10:57 AM
I always wondered what happened to The River Queen. Many dinners there and just so much fun and love for this old girl. Why can't the city or some businesses put up the dough to get her back into shape. To let her deteriote as they did, is a shame. River Queen Gal, you have always been an important part of Portland. I miss you!
Posted by: Linda Hamill | December 04, 2010 at 02:39 AM
I grew up with this old gal! I took my prom date there in the 60's where the waiter tripped on a rug and spilled a tray full of drinks on me and my tux. At this time it was secured by the Sellwood bridge.They gave me our dinners free so it all worked out! During the 80's when it was docked at NW front I booked yearly customer appreciation dinner dances for the company I managed. I took my wife and kids there for Friday and Saturday lunches and dinners often as we all loved there Halibut Fish and Chips. It would be great to see this old gal opened again as a resurgance of the River Queen restaurant. If nothing else I hope it stays here for the people of Portland, Vancouver! Memories are the essense of a life lived! Thank you River Queen!! Steve
Posted by: Steve Edwards | May 26, 2011 at 05:09 PM
I remember riding the RQ several times during the Oregon Centennial from the downtown seawall to the Expo Center.
Its really tragic that this old ferry has been allowed to deteriorate so badly. It would take a small fortune to do a proper restoration.
Posted by: SJW | May 26, 2011 at 05:54 PM
the boat seems very old that it would be down anytimes. whooh scary.
Posted by: Suit | August 14, 2011 at 11:53 PM
I washed dishes on the river queen in 1974 for some time, and I remember the staff was very nasty to me. The owner bought me a drink in the bar, and that was the best thing about my stay there.
Posted by: Mike C. | November 29, 2011 at 08:56 PM
Yo, Mike C.
i think my brother cooked there about that time. his name was Casey....
Posted by: F. loren | November 29, 2011 at 09:29 PM
When I worked there, the head cook (nightshift) was a big black guy who was always hitting on the female servers. He turned up missing and reports were that he didn't pick up his check! I knew a "Casey" from around the Grant High School area. He might have helped me get that job.
Posted by: Mike C. | December 19, 2011 at 06:22 PM
My dad and walter nutting bought this boat to portalnd it was my first job at 15 when my unckle bill pierce and bill roylance owend it. it hurts my heart to see this grand lady in such disrepair. i love this boat and have so much history with her. it breaks my heartto see her this way. Long live the QUEEN
Posted by: Kurt Arnold son of Chris Arnold | July 02, 2012 at 11:03 PM
my days of the river queen were from my old yachting days,moored at the anchorage marina my freinds and i made many a trip to the restaurant and bar.in may of 1975 i had a party of four on board my boat and we tied up to the queen. with a few to many drinks and one of my passengers great ideas was to take the ships wheel from the restaurant as a mascott for our yacht club. needless to say we were stopped by the harbor patrol. my friend said not to worry i am a personal friend of harold nutting and he will clear this all up.the harbor patrol said that was fine and dandy but bill roylance is the owner now. ooooooops. my ammends to this matter was to wash dishes for one week,meal included.bill roylance and i became friends from there on and many years after. posted by chris anderson
Posted by: christopher n anderson | November 25, 2012 at 05:07 PM
word has it she is about to be seized as a derelict by the Coast Guard as she is in danger of sinking and there is fuel oil in her bunkers yet... not to mention the asbestos covering her engine room pipes...
Posted by: Rusty | January 08, 2013 at 05:52 PM
I met my husband in August 1963 and we went to see Peter Paul and Mary and afterwards we went to dinner on the River Queen it was a night to remember - we since have been married 47 years and I always wanted to know what happened to the River Queen-the last I heard it was made into condos -but reading this I was surprised it was not. If I had the money I would fix it up and make it a restaurant again. We live in Edmonds WA.
Thanks River Queen for the memories
Bonnie and Allan O'Brien
Posted by: Bonnie O'Brien | January 16, 2013 at 10:55 PM
I came to Portland in 1974 for work at WISCO shipyard just down river from the River Queen. The River Queen became my second home for many years after. I have great memories of the River Queen staff and regular customers. (However, some of my memories are a little clouded...?) Bill Roylance always welcomed the marine industry crowd with open arms; maybe because we all had a "hollow leg." THe Port Engineer's annual Thanksgiving Day "Turkey Shoot" was held on the lower deck for many years. The River Queen is a big part of Portland's waterfront history. I hope it can be saved in some form or another.
Posted by: Bob Gavin | January 20, 2013 at 08:51 AM
I was also a dishwasher there from 75 to 77 Casey was an awesome guy I remember the staff well I even had a girlfriend that was a waitress Ellen was her name.I remember Joleen another waiterss and the head chef was a great guy.I remember Kurt Russel came back into the kitchen and said hi to me( I was his batboy for the Bend Rainbows)and I also remember the Trailblazers giving us tickets to the games all the time.I had a great time and Roylances always treated me great.I'm a chef now and wish it was open I would love to give back to them.Oh yaen I remember Casey chasing giant river rats out of the break room with knives.Ahh the memories
Posted by: John Murphy | February 13, 2013 at 04:29 PM
If ever there were NICEST PEOPLE in the world it would have to be KURT & BING RUSSEL
Posted by: UrbanGent | February 13, 2013 at 04:45 PM
I have a 1962 River Queen dinner menu and would like to pass it on to someone who will appreciate it. Any interest?
Posted by: Sally | May 04, 2013 at 02:12 PM
The River Queen (Shasta) is truly a NW treasure. Would be great to see her in her former glory.
Posted by: Madison 70 | May 04, 2013 at 06:37 PM
Oh please send!
Stumptown Blogger
Po box 1652
Lake Oswego Or
97035
Thx!!!!
Posted by: Mr.Stump | May 05, 2013 at 06:47 AM
I am the current owner of both the Queen and the property. If anyone has questions feel free to contact me. I will be happy to answer them. All I ask is that the ship is a dangerous place currently. Please do not board without contacting me first. I can be reached at (707) 695-6297 or via email at [email protected]
I am at the site most days and nights keeping thugs off the boat.
I am also selling items from the ship to help offset the cost of the repairs. If there is something you want and would like to buy it please let me know. Any money is 100% used for the ship.
Posted by: Clay Jonak | July 21, 2013 at 07:58 AM
Hi Clay! So...What kinda engines on her? I'm thinkin' probably Diesel? If they were steam, I'd like to look around on her! I'm an avid steam propulsion nut! If they're diseasel(as I like to call it) Well, dime a dozen!
Posted by: Pat Davison | July 21, 2013 at 12:49 PM