The last research for the Columbia River book was at the entrance of the river into the Pacific Ocean. What happened there was frequently chaotic, because the river's strong currents collided with powerful ocean waves. Many ships have been lost at this entrance near Astoria, Oregon, especially in earlier days of exploration. The narrow spit south of the entrance still shows remnants of ships and/or are described in the museums near or just inside the mouth of the Columbia. I described one amazing event in my book.
In 1991, the survivors of a tragic accident at the Columbia's Bar that had claimed seven men and four boats on the same exact day in 1961 gathered to honor the dead in Astoria. I was interviewing them when we were told that a similar accident was under way on the Bar. The 75-foot trawler sank, two men died and one was missing, and seven others were rescued from the chilly waters. In both incidents professional Coast Guard rescue boats and crews were among the victims. All this on the exact day and place 30 years apart!
Another time, another book, I searched fruitlessly for anyone who might have witnessed an event. Not long afterward on a major airline I found the right man sitting next to me on the flight!
During book signings, a more likely source of information, of course, visitors appeared frequently who had experienced some event about which I had written. '
Another time, another book, I searched fruitlessly for anyone who might have witnessed an event. Not long afterward on a major airline I found the right man sitting next to me on the flight!
During book signings, a more likely source of information, of course, visitors appeared frequently who had experienced some event about which I had written. '
