Local Beauties

BEFORE: Owner Chuck Kellogg, left, directs the Phantom's crew to the marina where exterior work on the boat will begin.

The Phantom knows much about a lot of things.

In 1931 Pacific Motor Boat Magazine  published an advertisement for Joseph M. Dyer, owner of the Astoria Marine Construction Company. In the ad he claimed to be a "Builder of fine boats, speed, style and personality." Little did he know that his claim would still ring true 71 years later.

"fine cruiser launched in Astoria," is what the morning Oregonian said on Monday, January 20, 1936. The last of five 50' raised deck streamlined cruisers designed by Dyer was launched on that day. The story quoted the first owner, Dr. Harworth, as follows:

"This means more than just the launching of a boat to me. It means that the faith of Oregonians in Oregon made products is justified. This embodies not only Oregon craftsmanship, but also a great many Oregon made or grown materials."

The hull of the Phantom was made from double-planked Port Orford cedar on white oak frames. All of the exterior woodwork, including the decks, were made of teak. The wood walls of the interior were rich Honduras mahogany. Amazingly, the Phantom still proudly wears all her original hardware and interior fixtures. The yacht's amenities include a bath tub in the forward head and space for a fireplace.

In 1942 the Phantom was drafted, and became involved in the World War II. Based in Vancouver, it patrolled the Willamette and Columbia river system.

One of the pilots of the boat during the war was Genard Gleason. He remembered the Phantom well, and said "it was a luxury vessel." It was equipped with radar and a Thompson machine gun. Gleason admits that "we were required to inspect the machine gun but none of us knew how to fire it."

In 1970 the original two Palmer Conversion Ford V8 gas engines were replaced by two V6 GMC Toroflow diesels.

Thieves stole the Phantom from Chinook in the mid 80's and ran her aground near Astoria. Both engines were destroyed. She was towed to the Kalama Marina where workers began rebuilding the engines. After all their work the engines still idd not operate and the Phantom remained in Kalama.

It was in this sad condition that the present owner, Chuck Kellogg, found this magnificent yacht several years ago.

As a child Kellogg would hang out with his dad at the Portland Yacht Club. This was the Phantom's home after leaving Kalama. In the winter of 2000, Kellogg carefully inspected the pealing varnish and many layers of dirt and grime. He remembered years earlier when this boat was known as the "Queen of the Columbia." It was time for restoration.

Maritime Classics was given the task of restoring the Phantom to its former glory.

It's "Playday" at the Sauvie Island rendezvous for the Phantom and other Portland Yacht Club yachts in 1947. At that time, this location was affectionally called "Beer Can Alley".

The Phantom is ready for war. A machine gun was mounted on the boat, but none of the crew knew how to operate it (Things have not changed!).

 Working closely with Kellogg, they assembled a talented crew of craftsmen to do the job.

This group included Mike's Mayday Marine, Lee Ehrheart and Al Thompson.

At the time of this writing, Phantom's 32-volt electrical system has been rewired and the 12-volt system updated. Both engines are now running smoothly. She has over 2,300 new fastners in the bottom and every hole in the boat has been rebored and caulked. New paint has been applied to the bottom and hull. both heads have been updated and the entire interior has a fresh coat of paint and stain.

With all this accomplished, there is still much to do on this historic vessel. When work on the  Phantom is completed, I'll take you for a tour. The headlines have not stopped for this local beauty. I'm certain that 65 years after her debut the headlines have just begun for our "Queen of the Columbia."