A ledge about a foot wide extended the width of the boat’s stern. Two muskrats decided the projection was a good place to sun themselves. The couple resided aboard that shelf for the Fair’s duration. The junk’s hosts named them Nora and West. They were featured in the local newspaper and appeared on TV several times.
At the conclusion of the Fair the Junk was purchased by a Northwest Orient Airlines mechanic and was sailed on Lake Coeur d’Alene for several years. In was then sold to a man in Seattle who lived aboard it on Lake Union.
Rumor and myth surround the junk’s travels until Jerry Joslin uncovered its blemished hulk in a backwater of the Columbia River. Jerry and his family lovingly restored the craft to a regal appearance. During restoration the boat was featured at the Portland Boat Show. I visited Jerry aboard while he worked on the interior during the show.
After meeting Jerry, I contacted Bryan Moon and advised him that the junk was undergoing restoration in Portland. Bryan now owns a design studio with his son and investigates lost aircraft used on missions during World War II. Bryan’s comment to my news about the junk was, “I thought I was done with that hunk of wood!”
Bryan mailed copies of public relations releases and pictures of the junk, as it was unloaded from the transport ship at the Port of Portland. I delivered the pictures and releases to Jerry during a visit to the Phi Lon (Sea Dragon) at a dock in Oregon City.
During our local cruises, we saw Jerry’s noble junk on the Willamette River near downtown Portland. Although we called him on the marine radio hailing frequency, he did not respond. Jerry told me during a later visit he turned off the radio when underway. Operation Phi Lon required his full attention while under way.
Phi Lon is docked in Oregon City where she awaits the next adventure. Unfortunately, Jerry will not be at the helm. We wish him fair winds, fair currents and farewell.
The lengthy obituary for Jerry Joslin contained several other facts that are of interest, including the allegation that the junk once served as a floating brothel. Joslin was an artist and sculptor of considerable renown. He purchased the 48-foot-long junk in 2000 for $7,000 and dreamed that after restoration he would live on the boat. He hoped to sail it to southern California, berthing the vessel there during the winter months and using it as a floating art studio, maybe take the boat to the Greek Isles. Unfortunately illness changed everything and forced him to stay nearer to home. He did sail the junk extensively along the northern Oregon and Washington coasts where the junk became a star attraction at every port of call.
CARS WITH HEART
Thinking of donating your vehicle? Consider NWA History Centre, Inc. You can donate your car to the History Centre through Cars with Heart and you will receive a tax deduction and 60% of the proceeds they receive for your car will go to the History Centre. You can contact Mark or Chris at Cars with Heart at 651-690-3255 and tell them you want to donate a vehicle to NWA History Centre, Inc. They will even pick it up for you!
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