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Most photos available for purchase as enlargements; email your request. To view photos, allow popups in your web browser & click thumbnails below.
THE COLUMBIA |
| (June 4, 1958—Present) BACKSTORY: Walt Disney decided that the Rivers of America needed more river traffic and wanted another large ship, so he asked Joe Fowler (Disneyland’s construction supervisor and a former naval admiral) to pick a historic sailing ship for inspiration. After examining every maritime museum in the country, Fowler recommended the first American sailing ship to go around the world: the Columbia Rediviva. However, there is only one known picture in existence of the original windjammer. WED researchers used it and research materials from the Library of Congress. Architect Ray Wallace was commissioned in 1957 to work with Fowler in creating the construction plans. The ship was constructed at Todd Shipyards in San Pedro, California, where the Mark Twain 's hull was built a few years earlier. After Fowler told Disney that it was customary to put a silver dollar under each mast before it was set, Disney personally put a silver dollar under each of the Columbia’s three masts. For the ship’s christening on June 4, 1958, Fowler was dressed as a sailing captain of the 1700's, while the Mousketeers appeared as his crew. Gretchen Richmond, wife of Alfred Carroll (A.C.) Richmond then Vice Admiral of the US Coast Guard, did the actual christening. Since then, the Sailing Ship Columbia has had many extensive refurbishments, but the only major change has been the 1964 addition of the crew quarters exhibit. Cast members have dubbed the Columbia “The Floating Skillet,” because of how hot it gets piloting the boat without any cover during the summer.
Most photos available for purchase as enlargements; email your request. To view photos, allow popups in your web browser & click thumbnails below. |
The Columbia, 1950’s |
The Columbia, 1960’s–1970’s |
The Columbia, 2000+ |
) Columbia, Dec. 2006 |
) Below deck, Feb. 2007 |
) Below deck, Feb. 2007 |
) Below deck, Feb. 2007 |
) Below deck, Feb. 2007 |
) July 2007 |
) July 2007 |
) July 2007 |
) July 2007 |
) Jan. 2008 |
) Jan. 2008 |
) Jan. 2008 |
) Jan. 2008 |
) May 2008 |
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