The HERO in Bay Center 2010
 That's right! All of the photos on these pages were taken in August and September 2010! (JL) The update...previous owner Bill Wechter of Newport, OR, sold the vessel in the summer of 2008 and towed it to this location in Bay Center, WA in September. The exact location...Bay Center is located on Goose Point Peninsula on the east side of Willapa Bay, Washington, off of US 101 about 40 miles north of Astoria, Oregon. The HERO is docked just south of town along Bay Center Dike Road. And it has been docked at this depicted location ever since. I've spoken to the current owner, who would prefer that I not mention his name or contact information. He actually now lives in Seattle, but he comes down here occasionally on weekends to look after his pride and joy. He's done a bit of preservation work, but as you can see, this wooden boat isn't getting any younger. Most of these photos are by Antarctic friend Jon Lingel (JL), who lives in Astoria and drove up on 7 August to take pictures for me. Others are by TomDeVries (TDV) who was the science leader on a couple of cruises in the early 80s. He took his pictures on 4 September. | |
 What might be the first glimpse as you drive north on Dike Road (JL). |
 Closer view of the bow (JL). |
 And another (TDV). |
 Another view(JL). |
 Another front view...yes, the upper wheelhouse deck is wrapped up for preservation (JL). |
 Looking at the main deck amidships (JL). |
 Another side view (TDV). |
 Another view of the wheelhouse and wrapped-up upper bridge (JL). |
 Here's a view approaching on Dike Road from the south (JL). |
 And a bit closer...(JL) |
 The stern on a sunny day (TDV) |
 The Hero in the sun (TDV). |
 A closer view of the stern...(JL) |
 ...and the rest of the vessel from aft (JL) |
 Looking up the mizzen mast, which was extended a bit after original construction to hold some of the electronics (JL). |
 The mainmast with the crow's nest. When I was last on board in 2006 things were too dicey for anyone to climb up (JL). |
 The superstructure from straight on (JL). |
 To finish...this view of the entire vessel from the same angle (JL) |
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Many thanks to both Jon and Tom. Oh, I do have a few new photos from 2012 here. | |