The Port of Port Orford Rich with History and Tradition
When you set foot on the dock at the Port
of Port Orford you'll actually be in two places at once. First, you'll
be standing on a modern, upgraded dock facility, and secondly; you'll be
on a piece of real estate with an historic and exciting past. Truly, one
of the most unique docks in the world.
Captain William Tichenor explored the harbor area the dock sits on as early as
1850. A wooden dock was built prior to 1900 and the Port was formally incorporated
in 1919. Ship captains liked the location because there was no bar to cross and
they could pull 400-foot vessels right up to the modest wood slabs that were
the original dock.
In 1935, the practice of putting small fishing boats into the water and then
lifting them out again with a hoist was initiated. Instead of parking the vessels
in the water, something the rough seas won't permit, they are hoisted up and
set gently down on a trailer and parked on the surface of the dock. There are
less than a half-dozen of these type of docks left in the world. The only other
'dolly' dock' in the USA is in southern California.
Thanks to the taxpayers, and a few grants and loans, the old wooden dock and
the tripod hoist are gone. In their place, at a cost of $5.5 million, are shiny
scalloped steel pilings supporting an asphalt and concrete paved dock surface.
Towering over the facility, like landmarks visible from miles away, are two bright
yellow vertical pole hoists, capable of lifting 30,000 and 50,000 pounds. Instead
of wooden planks with huge gaps are smooth concrete boat parking pads complete
with water and electrical hook ups. An additional 18,000 square feet of rental
area has been created, mostly for fish buyers and other interested parties. Contact
the Port directly for leasing information.
In addition, there is a 'floating dock' for sports boats that just want to pull
up and tie up. A stairway leads from the floating dock platform to the main dock
area. The dock and stairway are retractable and are lifted up in bad weather.
The current restrictions on vessels are a maximum length of 44 feet, maximum
width of 15 feet and no more than 44,000 pounds. Gasoline and Diesel fuel are
available. For specific information as to hours and weather conditions call the
hoist shack at: (541) 332-1306.
To capture the full essence of the fishing industry, late afternoon visits on
good weather days are recommended. This is a time when many vessels return to
port to unload their catch. Four small product hoists lift the fish out of the
boats in huge metal containers. They are then iced down and moved quickly to
processing and the marketplace. You might also see divers bringing in a catch
of urchins or watch dock personnel and sport fishermen fillet their freshly caught
Tuna on special tables.
The rock jetty or breakwater was built in 1968 by the Army Corps of Engineers
providing much gentler conditions for the boats to dock and a build up of sand
or 'shoaling' on the side of the dock under the hoists. The ACOE come in with
the dredging barge 'Sandwick' and periodically remove the sand. At times, the
shoaling causes the water depth to be less than adequate for docking. Check with
the hoist shack for daily conditions.
The Dock Tackle, a business that has been on the dock for years and is under
new ownership, is a tackle and gift shop, a snack bar, a Nautical Museum, and
a (seasonal) fresh fish market. They are open daily during regular business hours.
The FIshermen's
Memorial
A Permanent Memory for Brave Souls
The Fishermen's Memorial is a permanent tribute and remembering of those
who perished at sea from this port. The lighted memorial area contains
a monument with the names of those who we will not forget. Also in this
area is a ship's wheel and comfortable benches. The entire memorial area
is framed with bricks donated by members of the community and friends
of the port. The bricks are engraved with the names of the donors.
The reality of this beautiful memorial is due to the diligent work of the Port
Orford Women's Fishery Network, or the 'fish wives' as they are known, who
initiated this project in 1996. With a combination of volunteer help from the
Fishermen's Association, funds from Tuna Bar-B-Q's, sales of Donor Bricks and
a grant from the city in 1999, the Fishermen's Memorial was opened to the public
in 2000. A shining accompaniment to the newly upgraded dock.
