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Nixx_Mazda OP t1_j43dyfg wrote

Reply to comment by redit-fan in Found this 'photo postcard' in my grandparents collection. I never knew about this. "In terms of lives lost, the foundering of the Iowa on Peacock Spit is the greatest maritime disaster recorded in the twentieth century on the Columbia River Bar." (article link in reply) by Nixx_Mazda

Because of the strong current from the Columbia?

I think 'current' isn't the right word...

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wykdtr0n t1_j43m2oa wrote

Current, crazy high waves, wind, and tidal influence fighting the outgoing current all make for a shit show. I grew up crossing that bar a lot with my grandfather, in a fiberglass boat he built himself. Eventually, while crossing it alone, he broke his hip and would never be able to make the trip again. I've got a lot of fond memories fishing out there, and most of them involve dodging incoming freighter ship traffic. Once he lost his rip-cord while trying to restart his main motor and we had to crawl back on his trolling motor. The Coast Guard stopped to see if we wanted a tow and he refused.

Now I'm all teary eyed. Granpda died about a decade ago from cancer. His boat was half buried on his lot in Winlock, rotting and being chewed on by horses.

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chromecod t1_j44483k wrote

I commercial fished out of Ilwaco. I remember sitting in the " chicken coup " waiting for a break so we could sneak out. Returning was a different kind of spooky with waves rolling astern

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BeardsuptheWazoo t1_j45t31n wrote

Hey. I'm a boater, and love hearing about our elders.

Write up a a short story about him. Use his name. I'll read it.

Thank you for carrying him in your heart.

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redditpilot t1_j45e18b wrote

Sounds like some great memories with a great man. I'm sorry for your loss - and glad you shared his story.

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Nixx_Mazda OP t1_j46afep wrote

Aww, nice. Thanks.

My grandfather wasn't a huge boater, but he did like to swim (in the Sound sometimes).

The grandparents got a vacation home up on Whidbey, and got a small rowboat. They called it the Alphar, with the idea being the second boat would be based on Beta, and so on through the Greek alphabet. Well they never got past the first boat, and it's being used as a planter up at the old cabin.

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