South America In December 1905, OR&N sold Olympian to C.L.Dimon, of New York City. The purchase price was said to be around $30,000. Dimon planned to have Olympian towed around South America to New York, there to be renovated and returned to service as an excursion steamer. Reportedly Dimon intended to spend $100,000 in New York to recondition the steamer. On January 19, 1906, Olympian was brought up the Willamette River from the boneyard to the Willamette Iron and Steel Works to prepare for the trip around South America through the Straits of Magellan. This would be the longest tow in the maritime history of the United States.Olympian left Portland under tow on January 20, 1906, with Captain Wise and eleven crewmen on board. Before leaving in tow, heavy timber bracing were installed inside the steamer, and the sides of the vessel were covered over with rough lumber. Reportedly the paddlewheels were also removed, but this cannot have been so, as photographs taken after Olympian was wrecked show the wheels still in place. While in tow of Zealandia, Olympian went aground in Possession Bay. Olympian ended up laying broadside on the beach embedded in gravel to a depth of . The estimated cost of salvaging Olympian was $17,500, an amount which it was thought would lead the owners to abandon the vessel. The owners of Olympian contracted with a local salvor to refloat the vessel for £3,500 ($17,000) on a “no cure, no pay” basis. The salvors expended £1,300 ($6,300), and then refused to proceed any further unless they were paid that amount. The owners refused to pay, and ordered Zealandia, which had been standing by, to proceed on alone if Olympian were not brought off the beach in five days. When that did not happen, Zealandia departed, leaving a few men on Olympian to protect the owners’ interest in the vessel. Olympian eventually was abandoned. Its remains could be seen as late as 1980, and the wreck remains visible on satellite imaging. Notes References Printed sources (includes at pages 100-101, a large profile builder's drawing of Olympian'' ). On-line newspapers and journals Steamboats of Oregon Steamboats of Washington (state) Paddle steamers Steamboats of the Columbia River Ships built by Harlan and Hollingsworth Sidewheel steamboats of Washington (state) Steam ferries of Washington (state) 1883 ships Oregon Railroad and Navigation Company Steamboats of Alaska Maritime incidents in 1906 Maritime incidents in