Westport – coastal weather cam here.
Archives for category: Damon Point
Ship above may be TAI SUMMIT.
Pelican out there too.
Several sites on the web offer info on ship locations.
Click image once or twice to show detail.
Out to Damon Point on Monday morning.
Looking from Damon Point over towards Westport.
The ship above looks like JAN OLDENDORFF.
Several sites on the web offer info on ship locations.
Click image once or twice to show detail.
Above – Looking towards North Jetty.
Some sandy beach out there:
Public access for beach walkers at Damon Point has been on my mind. For a town that promotes visitors, tourism and good times at the beach, things are piss poor over at Damon Point.
Today, beach walkers moving toward the water from the parking area at Damon Point are channeled to a choice between an eroded/unsafe former road drop-off and private property that is posted, telling walkers that they are not welcome. WTF?
Image above taken earlier this winter.
KOSW recently discussed some erosion issues at Damon Point.
Here is the link – listen here.
It looks like there is no sense of urgency in making improvements here.
Recently blogged about it:
Damon Point – Washington Trails Association
Trip Reports
Dec. 31, 2022
“Getting access to Damon Point was difficult because of a wash out. You either have to climb over the jetty or walk through the RV park. There is no trail from the parking lot to the beaches along the point.”
Aug. 11, 2022
“The only trail leading to Damon Point now has a sign that says private property. The public is no longer allowed to access it You can cross over the rocks on the jetty. At low tide this is not terribly difficult, you just need to be careful However at high tide it becomes more difficult. In the winter with high tides and wind it could become dangerous. Please take care crossing it.”
$6.3 million in federal cash for a used hotel.
Any questions from newspeople?
December 8, 2022 The Daily World
Dept. of Ag invests $6.3M to purchase Ocean Shores hotel
$6.3 million “to fund the acquisition of an existing hotel. Marathon Enterprises Inc. is located in Ocean Shores, Grays Harbor County, Washington. The project is expected to result in saving eight jobs and creating one full time job.”
Love to see newspeople ask: Is there any shortage of lodging facilities in this community?
Better ideas for local federal funding:
Get the ferry to Westport going again:
“Sadly, the ferry service shut down in 2008, but not due to lack of popularity. While the ferry service had seen closures in previous years, the service would always pick back up and be celebrated by residents and visitors alike. Sadly, after too much sand and silt built up around the Ocean Shores marina, the El Matador was forced to cancel trips across the harbor. What was once a family-friendly boating experience and adventure across the harbor is now relegated to fond memories.”
Rehab of the marina would attract sport fishermen for launching and mooring of boats. Set up a place for fish and chips, a pub with a view, bait and tackle/boating store, a cocktail lounge, restaurant, etc. Use some imagination and get it going.
Damon Point was once a state park. Why is it no longer a state park? Is there an attitude related to climate change/sea level rise that is used as an excuse to back away from maintaining the shore?
Any federal money for ports and coastal improvement?
Oct. 9, 2020 U.S. Army Corps of Engineers Headquarters Website
About the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers
“One of the Seattle District’s primary missions is to maintain the navigation channels and harbors in the Pacific Northwest. Maintenance and navigation dredging is done frequently in harbor areas, ports and marinas. A significant component of Washington’s economy depends on navigation and commerce, which in turn depends on dredging navigation channels.”
Other than federal funding, go with cooperative efforts, negotiations with the tribe and creative thinking here. City leaders, volunteer work parties, local businesses who may donate trucks and materials, landscaping resources, etc. Offer to create some sort of access trail with a fence, plantings, trash cans, etc. Make an offer to the tribe that can help to improve the situation.
6.3 million in federal cash for a used hotel.
Any questions from newspeople?
Ocean Shores Is Not a Pedestrian Friendly Town
Meet me at Ocean Shores McDonald’s. We will stay on that side of the street, facing traffic and walk north on Point Brown Ave NE, all the way up to the Beacon Pest Control facility, just across from the entrance to Ocean Shores. Walking this route will suck. Couples & families are staying in a hotel room near the beach. They want to go on foot and see the town, maybe have a beer and avoid drinking and driving, maybe visit the shops, head over to Galway Bay, Lucky Dragon, walk over to Playtime Family Fun, etc. Traveling on foot will suck. Much room for improvement here.
$6.3 million in federal cash for a used hotel.
Any questions from newspeople?
Maybe efforts are already in the works to make improvements. Thanks to those who may be involved.
Related:
Federal Cash For The Coast – 98569
Image above taken earlier this winter.
Today, beach walkers moving toward the water from the parking area at Damon Point are channeled to a choice between an eroded/unsafe former road drop-off and private property that is posted, telling walkers that they are not welcome. WTF?
KOSW, this morning discussed some erosion issues at Damon Point.
I will try to find a link with the interview to post later.
Here is the link – listen here.
It looks like there is not a sense of urgency about maintaining public access for beach walkers at Damon Point.
Damon Point was once a state park. Why is it no longer a state park?
Is there an attitude related to climate change/sea level rise that is used as an excuse to back away from maintaining the shore?
Making repairs at Keystone Harbor:
February 17, 2023 Whidbey News-Times
Keystone Boat Launch construction underway
After more than four years, the Keystone Boat Launch at Fort Casey State Park will be functional.
“The public boat ramp near the Coupeville ferry terminal suffered severe damage in December of 2018 when storm winds rammed a breakwater structure into the floating docks. Chris Holm, a state parks division manager and former area manager for Central Whidbey state parks, said the park obtained FEMA funding for both the design and construction phases of the repair project.”
Oct. 9, 2020 U.S. Army Corps of Engineers Headquarters Website
About the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers
“One of the Seattle District’s primary missions is to maintain the navigation channels and harbors in the Pacific Northwest. Maintenance and navigation dredging is done frequently in harbor areas, ports and marinas. A significant component of Washington’s economy depends on navigation and commerce, which in turn depends on dredging navigation channels.”
$6.3 million in federal cash for a used hotel.
Any questions from newspeople?
December 8, 2022 The Daily World
Dept. of Ag invests $6.3M to purchase Ocean Shores hotel
$6.3 million “to fund the acquisition of an existing hotel. Marathon Enterprises Inc. is located in Ocean Shores, Grays Harbor County, Washington. The project is expected to result in saving eight jobs and creating one full time job.”
Love to see newspeople ask: Is there any shortage of lodging facilities in this community?
A better idea for local federal funding:
Get the ferry to Westport going again:
“Sadly, the ferry service shut down in 2008, but not due to lack of popularity. While the ferry service had seen closures in previous years, the service would always pick back up and be celebrated by residents and visitors alike. Sadly, after too much sand and silt built up around the Ocean Shores marina, the El Matador was forced to cancel trips across the harbor. What was once a family-friendly boating experience and adventure across the harbor is now relegated to fond memories.”
Rehab of the marina would attract sport fishermen for launching and mooring of boats. Set up a place for fish and chips, a pub with a view, bait and tackle/boating store, a cocktail lounge, restaurant, etc. Use some imagination and get it going.
Work on access to the beach at Damon Point too.
Damon Point
People familiar with this location know that public access is more tricky now than it was 18 months ago.
Besides federal funding, go with cooperative efforts, negotiations with the tribe and creative thinking here. City leaders, volunteer work parties, local businesses who may donate trucks and materials, landscaping resources, etc. Offer to create some sort of access trail with a fence, plantings, trash cans, etc. Make an offer to the tribe that can help to improve the situation.
The marina facility has potential. Any federal grant money for ports and coastal improvement?
Maybe these efforts are already in the works. Thanks to those who may be involved.
Related:
Federal Cash For The Coast – 98569
Wednesday morning
Out to watch the waves – Wednesday morning
Damon Point – Wednesday morning
Watching the wind: Windy.com
Washington Coast – Westport
Here is a really nice waterfront live cam that is great for storm watching and nice weather days too.
View the live cam here.
Looking for snow at sea level:
Washington State Ferry Cameras
Damon Point – Wednesday morning
Dec 17, 2019 YESTERDAYS TRAILS
“SS818: Wreck of Union Steamship Co’s. SS CATALA at Ocean Shores, WA – July 1967.”
“On January 1, 1965, a severe storm drove the ship from her moorings hard aground on shore at Damon Point, WA with a starboard list.”
Sep 14, 2007 S.S. Catala – Ocean Shores, WA – Shipwrecks on Waymarking.com
“Cause of Shipwreck: Storm while it was docked”
SS Catala
Source: Wikipedia
Tonnage 1476 gross; 851 registered tons
Length 229 ft (70 m)
Beam 37.1 ft (11.3 m)
Questions:
In 2023, If you go to the area where the ship was moored, it is hard to imagine a ship of this size in that location.
Maybe at one time, there was much more in the way of a pier that was appropriate for docking a ship of that size. Do any historical photos of this pier exist? Did other ships of this size make use of the pier? Did large yachts make use of the pier?
Catala breaks loose? Did the mooring lines fail? Did the pier fail? Was the pier later repaired if it failed?
Was any investigation conducted? What could have been done to prevent this?
It is hard to find much in writing or old photos to help answer these questions.
December 2, 2019 Washington Our Home
There is a photo of an old postcard here, showing the pier where SS Catala was moored.
“a hotel for charter fishermen complete with poker games and prostitutes.” Materials at the Ocean Shores Interpretive Center claim that “guests had their choice of staying in the overnight accommodations, enjoying dining and the activities of several lounges, and fishing for salmon, all aboard the beautiful refurbished ship.”
Fishing for salmon on the ship?
“It was a cold, wet and blustery New Years Day in 1965 when the winter storm hit and wreaked havoc along Washington’s coastline. Entire beaches changed their shape or disappeared completely as the pounding waves ate away at the shore. New beaches were formed by that sand being deposited elsewhere. And in the tumult of the storm, Catala’s moorings broke loose, setting her adrift in the undulating surf.”
More Questions:
Back at a boat hotel for charter fishermen complete with poker games and prostitutes?
Sounds like a really nice family memory.
Was the ship tied up on the side of Damon Point nearest the ocean, or the side nearest Aberdeen? Photos make it look like it came ashore on the side of Damon Point closest to the Ocean. The marina is on the side closest to Aberdeen. Hard to tell.
Washington Trails Association:
For beach walking: “It’s about four miles to circumnavigate the point.”
Did SS Catala make a trip around the point before landing on the beach?
Wikipedia:
“In Seattle’s Century 21 Exposition she was a floating “boatel” moored on the Seattle waterfront. Later in 1962 she was towed to California and used as a floating restaurant. In 1963 she was brought back north to Ocean Shores, Washington and used as a “boatel” again until she was driven aground by a storm on New Year’s Day 1965.[8]”
Towed to California? Did SS Catala still have working engines at the time she landed on the beach at Damon Point?
The storm that took her to the beach was on New Year’s Day 1965. This is off season in Ocean Shores. No families frolicking at the beach. Probably not many charter boat fisherman present during winter storms.
Was anyone staying or working on SS Catala when she broke loose and landed on the beach? Were people told to leave the ship before it broke loose and began to move towards the beach?
How was the ship heated during winter months?
6:20
Discussion & photos of time in Ocean Shores:
More info:
Sep 4, 2006 Cruising Talk General Cruising Talk Cruise Ships of the Past
“When the World’s Fair came to Seattle, the vessel was refurbished as a floating hotel and moved to the Seattle waterfront in 1962. The engines were removed to make room for a theater.”
“When the World’s Fair was over, the vessel was towed California and used as a floating restaurant. In 1963 the floating hull was brought north again to Damon Point State Park at Ocean Shores, moored at a causeway, and used as a floating “boatel” for charter fishermen. The vessel offered 52 staterooms, a restaurant and lounge. Electricity and telephone service was extended to the ship and a bridge and roadway provided easy access to a parking lot near her bow.”
Possibly of interest:
Any plan to improve public access at Damon Point?
Federal Cash For The Coast – 98569
Photo-
Watching the waves at Damon Point.
Westport Jetty in the distance.
Out to Damon Point on Wednesday afternoon. Looking from Damon Point over towards Half Moon Bay and Westport Jetty.
Out one morning after a winter storm.
Looking from Damon Point over towards Westport.
Out to Damon Point on Wednesday afternoon.
Looking from Damon Point towards North Jetty.
Out to Damon Point on Wednesday afternoon.
Looking from Damon Point over towards Westport.
Looking from Damon Point over towards Half Moon Bay and Westport Jetty on Wednesday.
Out to Damon Point on Wednesday afternoon.
Looking from Damon Point over towards Westport.
The ship visible above may be DSI ALTAIR.
Several sites on the web offer info on ship locations.
Click image once or twice to show detail.
Looking from Damon Point over towards Westport.
The ship visible above may be VICTORIA HARBOUR.
Several sites on the web offer info on ship locations.
Click image once or twice to show detail.
Live Cam – Westport, Washington
View live feed here.
Positive images, memories and thoughts:
https://twitter.com/AwayfromtheTV/with_replies
Looking from Damon Point over towards Westport.
The ships visible above may be VICTORIA HARBOUR and OLIVIA.
Several sites on the web offer info on ship locations.
Click image once or twice to show detail.
$6.3 million in federal cash for a used hotel.
December 8, 2022 The Daily World
Dept. of Ag invests $6.3M to purchase Ocean Shores hotel
$6.3 million “to fund the acquisition of an existing hotel. Marathon Enterprises Inc. is located in Ocean Shores, Grays Harbor County, Washington. The project is expected to result in saving eight jobs and creating one full time job.”
$6.3 million in federal cash for a used hotel results in saving eight jobs and creating one full time job? Seems like free enterprise might be better at moving things along Re: hotel properties.
Love to see newspeople ask: Is there any shortage of lodging facilities in this community?
A better idea for local federal funding:
Get the ferry to Westport going again:
“Sadly, the ferry service shut down in 2008, but not due to lack of popularity. While the ferry service had seen closures in previous years, the service would always pick back up and be celebrated by residents and visitors alike. Sadly, after too much sand and silt built up around the Ocean Shores marina, the El Matador was forced to cancel trips across the harbor. What was once a family-friendly boating experience and adventure across the harbor is now relegated to fond memories.”
Rehab of the marina would attract sport fishermen for launching and mooring of boats. Set up a place for fish and chips, a pub with a view, bait and tackle/boating store, a cocktail lounge, restaurant, etc. Use some imagination and get it going.
Work on access to the beach at Damon Point too.
Damon Point
People familiar with this location know that public access is more tricky now than it was 18 months ago.
Today, beach walkers moving toward the water from the parking area are channeled to a choice between an eroded/unsafe former road drop-off and private property that is posted, telling walkers that they are not welcome. WTF?
Maybe skip the feds and go with cooperative efforts, negotiations with the tribe and creative thinking here. City leaders, volunteer work parties, local businesses who may donate trucks and materials, landscaping resources, etc. Offer to create some sort of access trail with a fence, plantings, trash cans, etc. Make an offer to the tribe that can help to improve the situation.
The marina facility has potential. Any federal grant money for ports and coastal improvement?
Maybe these efforts are already in the works. Thanks to those who may be involved.
Related:
Goodbye Free Enterprise System
Possibly of interest-
Photo-
A favorite Damon Point image
New day on the coast. Looking from Damon Point over towards Westport.
The ship visible above may be VICTORIA HARBOUR.
Several sites on the web offer info on ship locations.
Click image once or twice to show detail.
A view from Damon Point over to Westport.
Click image once or twice to show detail.
Live Cam – Westport, Washington
Host page first, then click on the cam.
View live feed here.
Damon Point
Live Cam – Westport, Washington
Host page first, then click on the cam.
View live feed here.
Damon Point
Live Cam – Westport, Washington
Host page first, then click on the cam.
View live feed here.
Looking towards Westport from Damon Point
Live Cam – Westport, Washington
Host page first, then click on the cam.
View live feed here.
Looking towards North Jetty from Damon Point
Early Tuesday – Damon Point
Looking towards North Jetty from Damon Point
