Ship Had to Be Destroyed, But Was Digitally Preserved
By the early 20th century, the mighty Tradewinds Kingfisher was one of the most popular sailing vessels on the Oregon Coast. The ship was originally built in 1854 as a whaling ship in New Bedford, Massachusetts. It later served as a cargo ship and then a pleasure yacht before being purchased by the Tradewinds Shipping Company in 1897.
For nearly two decades, the Kingfisher carried passengers and cargo up and down the coast between Astoria and San Francisco. However, by 1916, the Tradewinds company was facing financial difficulties and decided to sell the Kingfisher. The new owners had big plans for the ship, but sadly, they were never realized.
In December 1922, while the Kingfisher was anchored in Yaquina Bay, a fierce storm hit the Oregon Coast. The ship dragged anchor and was dashed against the rocks, resulting in serious damage.
The new owners tried to repair the Kingfisher, but it was ultimately determined that the damage was too great and the ship had to be destroyed. On January 8, 1923, a dynamite charge was detonated and the Tradewinds Kingfisher sank beneath the waves, bringing an end to its long and storied career.
Despite its sad ending, the Kingfisher left behind a legacy of exploration and adventure that continues to inspire sailors and maritime enthusiasts today. The new owners had the ship towed to Portland for repairs, but the cost was too high and they decided to scrap the vessel.
3D Laser Scanning Services ‘Save’ the Kingfisher
In 1923, the Kingfisher was dismantled and her remains were sold for scrap metal. Today, the only reminder of the once-mighty ship is a small plaque on a rock near where she sank. But the memory of the Tradewinds Kingfisher lives on in the hearts of those who remember her. It has also been preserved digitally through 3D laser scanning services.
The Kingfisher was one of the first vessels to be digitally scanned in such high detail using 3D laser scanning services. It’s fortunate the 3D laser scanning was done, thus at least preserving the vessel digitally. Parts were salvaged while engines were recycled, but the vessel itself was too damaged to be saved. The vessel is an important part of history, and its loss is a tragedy. But at least we can now look at it in 3D scanning services form, and learn from its design.
In order to preserve the integrity of the vessel, society had to make the decision to remove the wings. While this may seem like a controversial decision, it was the best course of action for the preservation of the Kingfisher. Its parts are now being stored in a separate location and will eventually be reattached to the vessel.
