Oregon Maritime Museum, Portland

The Oregon Maritime Museum is housed aboard the Portland, a restored steam-powered sternwheel tug moored on the Willamette River. Built in 1947 by Northwest Marine Iron Works, the vessel cost $472,500 and was the last steam-powered sternwheel tug constructed in the United States. Although diesel engines and propellers were already standard, river pilots requested the older design because its strong backing power and large rudders could guide ocean-going ships through narrow bridge openings and crowded harbour areas.

Visitors can see the pilot house, engine room, original steam engines, and large Douglas-fir paddlewheel. Displays of photographs, ship models, tools, and maritime objects examine commercial shipping, river navigation, shipbuilding, and life aboard working vessels. The Portland was retired in 1981 and later restored by volunteers as an operating museum ship.

The tug also has connections to film history. It was transformed into the fictional Mississippi gambling boat Lauren Belle for the 1994 film Maverick, starring Mel Gibson, Jodie Foster, and James Garner. In 1952, it took part in a promotional steamboat race connected with the James Stewart film Bend of the River, competing against the older sternwheeler Henderson.