The Vesterlide was originally contracted by Norwegian firm A/S Klosters Rederi, but was divested before construction finished. | Photo via Wikimedia Commons
Prepare for a voyage through time, 106 years ago to the day.
It was Saturday, March 31, 1917, and Portland was abuzz about a boat. The US was on the brink of entering World War I, but buoyant crowds still gathered to witness the launch of the Vesterlide, the first all-steel steamer built in the city.
Thanks to a detailed report from The Oregon Daily Journal, we can picture the scene at the Northwest Steel Company well.
The spectacle was called “the dawn of a new era” and then Portland Mayor H. Russell Albee declared a holiday so workers and dignitaries alike could join the festivities. Grandstands were erected around the Willamette River shipyard and people climbed on roofs to see where the 8,800-ton freighter sat awaiting its departure. Passengers on other boats watched from the water.
Among them was the steamboat Ruth, which carried paper to Portland from mills in Oregon City and was also one of the fastest sternwheelers to transport agricultural goods throughout the Willamette Valley. Unfortunately, on that day, it wasn’t quick enough.
With the smash of a champagne bottle, the Vesterlide was christened and began sliding out of its dock to raucous cheers. However, two of the thick ropes holding the craft’s bow failed and it went careening into the Ruth “like an axe sharpening a stick.” With a 10-ft hole in its middle, the smaller boat sank in 45 minutes and three men were injured.
Undamaged, the Vesterlide was ultimately delivered to the British sailing company Cunard Line, which renamed her the SS War Baron. It was later sunk off the southern English coast by a German torpedo in January 1918.
The Ruth was resurrected and returned to service for an estimated $20,000 — or nearly half a million dollars today.
Juicebox Comedy | Friday, Mar. 31 | 7 p.m. | The Pickle Factory, 866 N. Columbia Blvd., Portland | $5-$15 | Hilarious storytelling and dumb trivia come together for one night.
Portland Winterhawks vs. Everett Silvertips | Friday, Mar. 31 | 7 p.m. | Veterans Memorial Coliseum, 300 Winning Way, Portland | $34-$72 | Be there to cheer on the home team as they start their seven-game series in the first round of the playoffs.
Paul Taylor Dance Company | Friday, Mar. 31, Saturday, Apr. 1 | 7:30 p.m. | Newmark Theatre, 1111 SW Broadway, Portland | $32+ | Celebrate White Bird’s 25th anniversary with the dance company that started it all in a show featuring a breathtaking exploration of human nature through choreography.
Saturday, April 1
Trillium Festival | Saturday, Apr. 1 | 10 a.m.-3 p.m. | Tryon Creek State Natural Area, 11321 S. Terwilliger Blvd., Portland | Free | Spend a day in the forest celebrating the namesake white flower, purchase a native plant, and learn from educational stations around the Nature Center.
Art Auction After Party | Saturday, Apr. 1 | 8 p.m. | Hyatt Regency Portland, 375 NE Holladay St., Portland | $55 | Dress dapper for this surreal soiree — the 35th annual edition of the fundraiser which benefits Cascade AIDS Project.
10th Annual Brazilian Carnaval Ball: A Decade of Light! | Saturday, Apr. 1 | 9 p.m.-1 a.m. | Bossanova Ballroom, 722 E. Burnside St., Portland | $25-$200 | Join an evening of vibrant colors, rich culture, and spectacular Samba music.
Sunday, April 2
Field Trip: Crown Zellerbach Trail | Sunday, Apr. 2 | 8-11 a.m. | Portland Audubon, 5151 NW Cornell Rd., Portland | $45-$65 | Flock to this birding hotspot in Scappoose to look for waterbirds, raptors, and songbirds.
Portland Poetry Slam | Sunday, Apr. 2 | 7:30 p.m. | Kelly’s Olympian, 426 SW Washington St., Portland | $5-10 suggested donation | Head to this historic bar’s venue to hear sophisticated wordplay from Jae Nichelle.
Monday, April 3
2023 Oregon Book Awards | Monday, Apr. 3 | 7:30-9 p.m. | Portland Center Stage, 128 NW 11th Ave., Portland | $12-$65 | The state’s most accomplished writers in the categories of poetry, fiction, nonfiction, young readers, and drama will have their achievements recognized.
Plan ahead with our community events calendar below.
Donations help provide nutritious meals to older adults in Clark County. | Photo provided by Meals on Wheels People
Looking for a new brunch spot?
Enter: The Diner Vancouver (5303 East Mill Plain Blvd., Vancouver, WA). Portlanders will find a classic diner menu with a healthy, local twist ft. breakfast favorites like avocado toast, eggs benedict, challah French toast, and more.
But the classic neighborhood restaurant serves more than a meal — it also supports the mission of Meals on Wheels People by providing a space for older adults to eat in a casual, multi-generational setting. Food insecure people over 60 pay what they can, and tips go directly to the nonprofit. 🍽️ *
The deadline to remove the studded tires on your vehicle in both Oregon and Washington. Portland drivers could face a fine of $165, or $137 on the other side of the Columbia River, by using them beyond Friday, March 31. (KOIN)
Community
After legendary drag performer Darcelle XV died last week, a temporary sign appeared renaming Northwest Davis Street to Northwest Darcelle XV Street. Now, the push to make one Portlander’s commemorative gesture a permanent memorial to the performer’s legacy is gaining support in city hall. (KOIN + Willamette Week)
The Bureau of Planning and Sustainability’s LGBTQ+ Historic Sites Project is asking for input from the public regarding the use of additional grant money awarded this month. Among other applications, the survey will help inform future nominations for the National Register of Historic Places.
Try This
Looking to take your campfire cuisine from burnt marshmallow to tantalizing Dutch oven feast? Portland-based chefs Mona Johnson and Jaret Foster, whose company Tournant specializes in farm-to-fire cooking and immersive dining experiences, shared some tips and a recipe for you to try. (Portland Monthly)
Plan Ahead
Portland isn’t the only city with cherry blossom-centric excitement blooming. Vancouver’s Sakura Festival will take place Thursday, April 20 at Clark College. Guests can appreciate the 100 Shirofugen cherry trees planted 25 years ago that serve as a testament to the bond between Vancouver and sister city Joyo, Japan.
The Specialty Coffee Expo, North America’s largest specialty coffee trade show, is coming to Portland, Friday, April 21-Sunday, April 23. It offers coffee professionals and aficionados the chance to try out new products and services, join expert-led workshops, network, and of course drink the best brews.
Award
When the James Beard Awards finalists from Portland were revealed, the announcement came with a surprising secret sauce. The Burgerville Workers Union received the Emerging Leadership award for its efforts in 2021 to establish the first fast food workers union in the country. (KOIN)
Tech
Ever wondered what Portland would look like without freeways? One Reddit user took that fantasy to an artificial intelligence-powered image generator, and the result is rather dreamy (if a little skewed directionally and distance-wise).
Finance
Refinance rates are skyrocketing. But home equity rates remain relatively low — which means that now is a great time to borrow against your home. Calculate your payment. *
Drink
An electric wine opener is one of those inexpensive kitchen gadgets that you don’t know how you lived without once you get one. We especially love this one for its sleek design and ergonomic grip. To upgrade your wine even further, this set includes an automatic wine aerator and reusable vacuum stopper.
Shoutout to my fiancé. You brighten up my world more than you’ll ever know. I love you today and always. — Lee H.
This could be your shoutout here, but you haven’t joined our PDXtoday membership program yet. We can change that. — PDXtoday team
Your voice is valuable, and so are the special moments in your life. Shoutouts allow us to celebrate job promotions, anniversaries, and exciting experiences right here in Portland. Become a PDXtoday member today to reserve your shoutout and celebrate with tens of thousands of locals.
Yakima-born actor Kyle MacLachlan’s Pursued By Bear project has set up shop downtown on South Palouse Street, where you can meet him during the grand opening, Friday, April 14-Sunday, April 16. Huzzah!
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