Ocean Wave was a steamboat that was operated from 1891 to 1897 on the Columbia River, from 1897 to 1899 on Puget Sound and from 1899 to 1911 as a ferry on San Francisco Bay. Ocean Wave is perhaps best known for transporting summer vacationers from Portland, Oregon to seaside resorts near Ilwaco, Washington during its service on the Columbia River. This vessel is also known for being the first ferry placed in service by the Atchison, Topeka and Santa Fe Railway.
Ocean Wave on the Willamette River at Portland, Oregon, sometime between 1891 and 1897.
Ocean Wave, in a drawing published in 1894, clearly based on the leading photograph in this article.
Advertisement published August 18, 1895, showing Ocean Wave as part of the White Collar Line.
Ocean Wave prior to 1900, apparently out of service.
Telephone was a sternwheel-driven steamboat built in 1884 by Captain Uriah Bonsor "U.B." Scott for service on the Columbia River. Reputedly the fastest steamboat in the world in its time, Telephone served on the Columbia River and San Francisco Bay. Telephone was rebuilt at least twice. The first time was after a fire in 1887 which nearly destroyed the vessel. The reconstructed and much larger second vessel was sometimes referred to as Telephone No. 2. The third vessel, Telephone No. 3, built in 1903 and using components from the second steamer was larger but little used during its time on the Columbia river.
Telephone (sternwheeler)
Advertisement for steamer Telephone, circa 1887
Telephone No. 3 under reconstruction in June 1903
Advertisement for steamer Telephone, placed September 17, 1905
