Wapama

Photo of Wapama on her barge.

Wooden-hulled steam schooners were designed for the west coast lumber trade. Wapama is the last of 235 steam schooners built on the Coast. She was built in 1915 for the run between Oregon and California.

Unfortunately, the long shallow hulls of the steam schooners made for a weak structure, prone to sag at the bow and stern. As age and decay sapped the strength of Wapama's massive timbers, this "hogging" process became so bad that she could not remain afloat . Placed on a barge in 1980 Wapama remains a unique, impressive and endangered piece of naval architecture.

Wapama is currently stored in Richmond, CA and is not available for visiting.

Historic Photo of Wapama

 

Copyright © 2006, Maritime Park Association
All Rights Reserved
Legal Notices and Privacy Policy
Version 2.00, 15 Sep 2006