Sunday, April 5, 2026

Spirit of Discovery

Spirit of Discovery on the Columbia River at Rainier, Oregon, in April 2007
Photo by Cliff West

The Spirit of Discovery was originally built in 1976 by Eastern Marine Shipbuilding at Boothbay Harbor, Maine, as the Independence for American Cruise Line. In 1985 it was sold to Great Pacific Cruise Lines and renamed Columbia. It was acquired by Cruise West which renamed it Spirit of Discovery and used it to become the first operator of scheduled overnight cruises on the Columbia River. 

Spirit of Discovery on the Columbia River at Rainier, Oregon, in April 2007
Photo by Cliff West

The Spirit of Discovery is 166 feet long, carries 84 guests, and has a cruising speed of 12 knots. My dad, Cliff West, photographed it on the Columbia River at Rainier, Oregon, in April 2007.

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