- Columbia Rediviva
-
The Columbia heeling as it approaches a squall. Drawing by George Davidson in 1793, who served as the ship's artistCareer (United States of America) 
Name: Columbia Owner: Joseph Barrell Builder: James Briggs Laid down: 1773
1787Launched: Norwell, Massachusetts
Plymouth, MassachusettsDecommissioned: October 15, 1806 Renamed: Columbia Rediviva Nickname: Columbia Fate: salvaged Notes: First US ship to circumnavigate the globe General characteristics Class and type: full rigged ship Displacement: 213 tons Length: 83 ft 6 in (25.45 m) Beam: 24 ft 2 in (7.37 m) Draught: 11 ft (3.4 m) Propulsion: sail Sail plan: three-masted ship (foremast, mainmast, mizzenmast) Complement: 16-18 minimum and 30-31 maximum Armament: 10 cannons, 2 heavy stern chaser guns, 4 heavy and 4 lighter broadside guns. Columbia Rediviva (commonly known as the Columbia) was a privately owned ship under the command of John Kendrick, along with Captain Robert Gray, best known for going to the Pacific Northwest for the maritime fur trade. The "Rediviva" (Latin "revived") was added to her name upon a rebuilding in 1787. Since Columbia was privately owned, she did not carry the prefix designation "USS".
Artist sketch of ship on the Columbia River
Early authorities claim the ship was built in 1773 by James Briggs at Hobart’s Landing on North River, in Norwell, Massachusetts and named Columbia.[1] Later historians say she was built in Plymouth, Massachusetts in 1787. In 1790 she became the first American ship to circumnavigate the globe. During the first part of this voyage she was accompanied by the Lady Washington which served as tender for the Columbia. In 1792 Captain Gray entered the Columbia River and named it after the ship.
The ship was decommissioned and salvaged in 1806. A replica of Lady Washington is located at Grays Harbor Historical Seaport in Aberdeen, Washington.[2]
Contents
Trivia
- In 1958, a full-scale replica of the ship, Sailing Ship Columbia, opened as an attraction at Disneyland. The ship takes riders around the Rivers of America. This replica also plays a prominent role in the night time show Fantasmic, although it is supposed to be Captain Hook's ship.
- The name was used for the command module of Apollo 11.
- The name was re-used for the Space Shuttle Columbia by NASA.[3]
First mates
- Joseph Ingraham, under the command of Kendrick. In 1790 he was captain of Hope that competed with the Columbia in the fur trade.[4]
- Robert Haswell, under the command of Gray in 1791–93 during the second voyage to the Pacific Northwest.[5]
References
- ^ Jacobs, Melvin C. (1938). Winning Oregon: A Study of An Expansionist Movement. The Caxton Printers, Ltd.. 77.
- ^ Grays Harbor Historical Seaport
- ^ NASA: Space Shuttle Overview: Columbia
- ^ Hittell, Theodore Henry (1885). History of California. Occidental publishing co: v. 3-4:.
- ^ Howay, Frederic W. (1941). Voyages of the 'Columbia' to the Northwest Coast 1787-1790 and 1790-1793. Boston: Massachusetts Historical Society.
Further reading
- Log of the Columbia, 1790-1792. Proceedings of the Massachusetts Historical Society, Third Series, Vol. 53, (Oct., 1919 - Jun., 1920).
External links
The American flag that circumnavigated the globe with Captain Gray on the Columbia.Early History of Oregon (1500–1806) Topics - Fur trade
- Lady Washington
- Columbia Rediviva
- Northwest Passage
- Discovery
- Age of Discovery
- Chatham
Events - Bridge of the Gods
- 1700 Cascadia earthquake
- Nootka Convention
- Vancouver Expedition
- Entering the Columbia by Gray
- Lewis and Clark Expedition
Places People Oregon History - Native Peoples History
- History to 1806
- Pioneer History
- Modern History
Categories:- Ships built in Massachusetts
- Merchant ships of the United States
- Age of Sail ships of the United States
- Age of Sail merchant ships of the United States
- Pre-state history of Oregon
- Fur trade
- Exploration ships
- Individual ship or boat stubs
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