United States lightship Columbia, Museum ship in Astoria, United States.
The United States Lightship Columbia is a restored vessel moored in Astoria that served as a floating lighthouse and now operates as a museum ship. Multiple decks display original navigation systems, operational equipment, and crew quarters from its decades of active service.
The vessel entered service in the early 1950s and for decades marked the treacherous entrance to the Columbia River, warning ships of shifting sandbars and powerful currents. Its operational role ended in 1979 as advancing technology reduced the need for crewed lighthouses.
The vessel represents how maritime communities relied on floating lighthouses to navigate one of North America's most hazardous coastlines, with crew members spending months aboard in isolation.
Visitors explore the vessel through guided tours that take you across multiple decks and into crew spaces to understand daily operations and living conditions aboard. The best experience comes on clear days when you can also appreciate the ship's exterior and its position along the Astoria waterfront.
The Columbia gained notoriety for maintaining its post during the fiercest winter gales, when waves could tower above the vessel with tremendous force. This resilience was vital since ships at sea depended on its signal during those dangerous moments when all else was obscured.
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