Grounded stern-wheeler returns to Portland

WASHOUGAL – A grounded stern-wheeler cruise ship returned to Portland under its power on Sunday after crews got it off a sandbar during high tide.

Coast Guard Ensign Nick Barrow said the tides and two tugboats combined to get the Empress of the North moving in the Columbia River shipping channel.

“It was a very quick process, a matter of minutes,” he said.

The 360-foot stern-wheeler went aground Friday morning. There were no injuries, and the estimated 260 occupants were taken off without incident.

Crews pumped about 20,000 gallons of diesel fuel on Saturday to make the ship lighter.

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