Empress of the North
by Robert Bales
Title
Empress of the North
Artist
Robert Bales
Medium
Photograph - Photo
Description
The Empress of the North is a 360-foot (110 m) diesel-powered paddle-wheeler that was formerly operated by Majestic America Line. She was built in 2002 at the Nichols Brothers Boat Builders shipyard on Whidbey Island for $50 million and debuted as a cruise ship in 2003. She is listed as accommodating 223 guests, and cruised Alaska's Inside Passage, the Pacific Northwest, and the Columbia River. At the time she was operating the ship was decorated with a 19th century Russian theme, but adds an Alaskan touch with carvings and masks.
The Empress of the North has run aground four times. She struck a navigation lock in October 2003 at the Ice Harbor Dam on the Snake River, and suffered another grounding in November 2003 near The Dalles in the Columbia River. She grounded again in March 2006 near Washougal in the Columbia River.
Early on May 14, 2007, The Empress of the North struck Rocky Island while navigating a 90 degree turn to starboard about 50 nautical miles (90 km) from Juneau, Alaska in Icy Strait. She began taking on water, forcing all 248 passengers to abandon ship. Reports that the vessel either grounded on Hanus Reef, several miles away, or later drifted there were in error. Several fishing boats, a tugboat and barge, another small cruise ship, and the Coast Guard Cutter Liberty evacuated the Empress' passengers, who were eventually transferred to the Alaska Marine Highway ferry Columbia. There were no injuries, and the rescue effort took place in relatively favorable conditions, amid intermittent rain showers and light winds. Though the Empress of the North had developed a 6 degree list, 33 members of the crew stayed aboard to facilitate the vessel's return to Juneau under her own power. She was escorted en route there by Coast Guard helicopter and a third small cruise ship. The National Transportation Safety Board has begun an investigation,but maritime experts believe the accident was caused by the inexperience of a ship's officer. The Empress of the North was repaired at the shipyards of Vigor Industrial in Portland, Oregon by Vigor Marine LLC, and returned to service on July 7, 2007.
Uploaded
February 23rd, 2013
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Comments (18)
David Coleman
Cool shot Robert! I used to work on that boat, back in 2008, when it was still owned by the Majestic American Line. I'm a musician by trade and ended up working on a number of their ships for a couple years. Also did sixteen or seventeen years on the big cruise ships. I play drums in the show bands and back up guest entertainers. Thank you so much for your comments on my photography, your photos are amazing!!!!
Robert Bales replied:
Thanks so much for the wonderful information and maybe you were on it one of the years we saw it while going to Alaska in our boiat!!
Emmy Vickers
Robert - beautiful capture! I love how vivid the red is. I love riding aboard paddle-wheelers. Well composed. L/V.
Donna Kennedy
Excellent shot Robert, great color and clarity!...v/f
Robert Bales replied:
Thanks Donna for the very nice comment on the color and detail along with the v/f!