Naptime For the Columbia, October 1967
It's not easy being a sailing ship, especially one that has circumnavigated the globe. So it's not surprising that the Colombia needs frequent naps over in Fowler's Harbor. We all need a little "me time", right?
Being October, the kids were back in school, and more than a few attractions could power down, so to speak. That Keelboat over there, and that Raft... take it easy, fellas! The reflections in that glassy water are pleasing.
A vacation is also a good time to have a little makeover. Scrape those barnacles, slap on a fresh coat of Benjamin Moore dura-luxe satin paint, tighten up that sagging rigging. I wonder if some talented carpenters slapped that ladder together in a matter of hours? A tarpaulin covers some mysterious object, maybe the capstan, or possibly the soft-serve ice cream maker. I'll have mine with a chocolate shell!
25 comments:
Major-
ZZZzzzzzzzz.....
Thanks, Major.
That Keelboat next to the Columbia looks like a row of gas pumps at a filling station... or slot machines at a casino... or a Dalek.
Major, I think that covered "mysterious object" is one of those little merry-go-rounds that you see, or used to see, in front of grocery stores. The mighty sailing men had to have something to do to occupy their free time. Yeah, the merry-go-round wasn't very exciting, but it beat counting the maggots in the barrels of hardtack.
Thanks for the glassy water and the soft-serve ice cream, Major.
Benjamin Moore sounds more “colonial” but from the 1950’s and into the early 1980’s The Sailing Ship Columbia ( like the Disneyland Railroad locomotives) was “coated” in FINCH PAINT & CHEMICAL CO’s “Cat-a-Last” fine protective coatings. The company was based in Torrance California and eventually became a division of the designer Home Hardware company Price-Phister where it discontinued its paint line in 1984. The Columbia’s paint coating was then changed to a line of high performance coatings by PPG Industries ( who bought DITZLER automotive finishes that lots of Disney park vehicles, signs and buildings were once painted in from Monorails …. horseless carriages , WDW RR drumhead signs to the Frontierland/New Orleans Train Station to parking lot trams ..) DuPont also now produces many of Disneyland’s specialty paints and high performance coatings.
This is the Columbia of my childhood - not operating today. Every. Single. Visit.
That first photo looks so peaceful. Even the water looks like it’s taking a break.
As long as Pirates of the Caribbean and everything in the New Tomorrowland was open, I would love to visit Disneyland in the off-season of 1967. I bet the attendance was minimal, and all the attractions were practically a "walk-on." The exceptions of course, being It's A Small World and the Matterhorn, due to their Halloween overlays. ;-)
Mike, I bet they really save on paint, when it comes to Wookie World. It looks like everything there is just natural gray concrete, with dirt smeared all over it.
Or does Dupont make a paint called, "The Color of Dirt."
Just the kind of pics I needed on this Monday. That second pic of the Columbia looks like a perfect place to take a nap. Sounds like the best spot has been taken by Nanook.
Thanks Major.
That first photo is so nice. If you look close, to the right side (starboard) of the harbor entrance, the little signal light is just visible in the shrubbery.
Major, the tarp is covering a missile launcher. Can’t let those pirates see what’s coming!
Yes, the early 1980’s was a period of mergers in the paint industry. Fuller O’Brien, Sinclair and many other US brands were gobbled by a German firm, ICI, who in turn was later consumed by some other Euro firm with all letters, maybe BASF?
DuPont also bought Dow recently, this one is irritating since the product names did not ALL change, just enough to be confusing.. The one I can’t figure was PPG, whose very name meant Pittsburg Plate Glass, a glass maker with a (great) coatings business. PPG spun off the glass division and named it “Vitro” (? Seriously?) and left the coatings under PPG label, which now no one recognizes. Inexplicable. TRE, even paint.
Thanks Major!
JG
The first time I ever visited the Columbia was when it was moored in Fowlers Harbor. There was a gangplank from the dock and you could walk around and look at everything, there wasn't any maintenance going on. A costumed cast member was on board to answer question. Over the years I had seen it in the dock but it wasn't open to visit.
Imaging a day as a CM walking to your assignment location in NO Square before opening. This is what you would experience. A magical time for for us. KS
KS - No Square - is that another name for the Dance Circle?
Nanook, I hope you aren’t operating any heavy machinery.
JB, the Columbia used ethyl gasoline. Leaded! I love those little merry-go-rounds, but it is a pain to have to scare the little children away who are already riding.
Mike Cozart, I was joking about Benjamin Moore, it was just a paint brand that came to mind. But now I know about Finch Paint & Chemical! Nobody knows more about Disneyland paint history than you (hey, I’m glad somebody knows it!). “Ditzler”, I need to use that for a future user name. “Dirk Ditzler”!
Chuck, yes, the one time I ever rode the Columbia is when I became aware that it was almost always in Fowler’s Harbor. So I jumped when I had the chance! I think I still prefer the Mark Twain, but I’m glad I did it.
TokyoMagic!, even if “Pirates” wasn’t operating, I’d still love to visit Disneyland in the off-season of 1967! Think of all the details you’d discover, knowing what you know now. And all the things you’d take photos of! “I’ll take 10 rolls of Kodachrome slide film, please”. It’s kind of brilliant to make things look “already dirty” (see: The Indiana Jones Adventure). No need to clean.
TokyoMagic!, it’s one of the most magical colors!
DrGoat, I want to climb aboard the Columbia and take a little siesta under that tarp. So cozy!
JB, darnit, I guess I must not be looking in the right place, because I don’t see the signal light. Missiles would have been mighty handy for the Columbia, not to mention lasers and photon torpedos. We’ve lost many “evergreen” companies to mergers over the past few decades. “Vitro” might be referring to vitreous glass. Maybe.
MRaymond, did you go “below decks”? I sort of like the idea of exploring the Columbia like that!
KS, I’ll bet that would have been awesome!
Chuck, ouch.
May, that dock looks like a tight fit. No worries, though. The Cap'n could drive that thing like it was on rails!
Howard Keel and George Raft in a Columbia picture!
I love how the first shot is composed, with the grass in the foreground and the trees in the back, framing Columbia gazing at her own dappled reflection. Very painterly. Joshua Turner would approve.
There's a giant Benjamin Moore paint can along the side of the I-81 in Pennsylvania. It's one of those landmarks you look for on every road trip.
I just made a comment on the Times Square post from the other day, but probably nobody will see it so I'll repeat myself. I spotted the "TWO TROUSER SUITS" sign in an episode of the 1958 Mike Hammer TV series this afternoon. I got so excited you'd think I spotted my own grandmother sitting in Darren McGavin's lap.
"KS - No Square - is that another name for the Dance Circle?"
No squares allowed in the dance circle, Daddy-O!
Melissa-
Thanks for sharing the giant paint can and referencing that "rare" Columbia film. Darren McGavin was always a favorite - only to be made more so in his role as 'Old Man Parker' in A Christmas Story.
JG: I know that ICI had a line of high performance paint and that some of that brand was used on the later 1990’s Main Street USA and Frontierland structure exteriors.
TOKYO: Disney for years had developed its own “weathering” stains for use on attractions : these were really developed for BIG THUNDER MOUNTAIN DL/WDW and EPCOT CENTER’s World Showcase since before those attractions rarely were things weathered or worn. I know the weathering formula used a great deal of rubbing alcohol. The Disney Studios had weathering techniques but for permanent long term attractions new methods had to be developed for long term use and exposure. By the 1990’s Disney began to use weathering effect stains and paints produced by a California company called THEME PAINT… I know they had relocated from California ( like most pain companies) and I’m not sure if they exist anymore. DuPont also had a line of special theme park paints and stains that included some weathering and aging effects.
Major ; I knew you were randomly using Benjamin Moore but I thought it was a good segue into the “Carousel of Paint” story .
Raymond : the Columbia Below decks at Fowler’s Harbor was the first time I had ever gone on the Columbia …. In the late 70’s abd 80’s many attractions located further in the park would open a hour later than “rope drop” allowing time for guests to circulate into the farther regions of Disneyland. The Haunted Mansion was often like that … and my friends and I would head to the new BIG THUNDER first and ride that a few times …then to Pirates … then to Haunted Mansion. So while waiting for Haunted Mansion to open we explore the Columbia.
The Columbia below decks was open to guests as an attraction whenever the Columbia wasn’t sailing . In fact in 1978 an all new e trace and display “mainland” was created - and this seems to have always been a FREE attraction . The addition of Splash Mountain and the reconfigured of Fowler’s Harbor to add The Harbor Galley Restaurant did away with the COLUMBIA BELOW DECKS as a moored version of the attraction.
Tokyo!, "everything there is just natural gray concrete, with dirt smeared all over it." I can hear the contempt dripping from your mouth and hitting your keyboard. It sounds like "Argle, bargle, ptui!" ;-p
"The Color of Dirt"... wasn't that the name of a movie?
JG, whenever I see the word "shrubbery" I have to resist the urge to type numerous quotes from the Knights Who Say Ni.
Major, danged kids. Always hogging those merry-go-rounds. Don't they know they're supposed to give up their ponies to seniors? It's embarrassing.
Nanook, Darren McGavin: Or as the gung-ho entrepreneur who opens a diner on Mars, in The Martian Chronicles (TV mini series).
JB, now I want a shrubbery, and quite a nice one too.
Mike Cozart, ICI is available now under that original name, but the company was absorbed by Akzo-Nobel, according to the Googels. I'm not sure they have representation in our region now. For some reason, many paint and coating brands are quite regional and are not always available in some areas.
I usually use Tnemec, Carboline or Sherwin-Williams HPCs.
Some years back, we did a big house in Beverly Glen / Holmby Hills and the new stone masonry on the addition had to match the old existing. The mason had a guy who worked for Disney come out to stain and age the new stone and made up a perfect match, no one could tell where the new began and the old ended without looking at the drawing. Wizard stuff, and he wouldn't tell anyone what was in any of those bottles or jars.
JG
Stu29573, remember, highly trained ducks pull the Columbia into that berth.
Melissa, your comment makes me realize that I have not seen a single George Raft movie. At least not that I can recall. Joshua Turner, was he in “Dawson’s Creek”? I personally like the Sherwin Williams logo with the paint from a can, spilling over the whole world. I think that “Two Trouser Suits” sign had been in Times Square at least since the 1930s, so it probably appeared in a lot of movies and TV shows.
Nanook, I have a fondness for Darren McGavin as Kolchak, but man, those shows do not hold up. Pretty terrible.
Mike Cozart, I think of all the times I could have toured the “below decks” displays; the one time I rode the Columbia, there was such a crowd of people going down into the hold that I decided I’d just stay on deck in the sunshine and fresh air. OR… maybe it wasn’t even available, as you pointed out. I had the feeling that it might not be a thing anymore.
JB, “The Color of Dirt”, I think that starred Divine and Tab Hunter. I know what you mean about the word “shrubbery”. And I have the same issue with kids on those bouncing rocket/horse/jeep rides out in front of grocery stores. They are always hogging them! Gosh, “The Martian Chronicles”, I loved the book, and barely remember the series.
JG, “Akzo-Nobel”, another great name. Say it three times and make a wish. I’ll bet your “wizard” was using thinned oil paints, but I guess we’ll never know.
Kilxhak is definitely dated, but it’s still a sentimental favorite. And it’s the direct link between Dark Shadows and The X-Files.
Major:
You can still explore the below decks of the Columbia while it’s operating … but not when it’s docked. Also a warning: if the Columbia is operating the below decks will usually be roped off on its last trip of the day. Same with the Mark Twain: the top deck will now usually be roped off to guests on the Riverboat’s last trip of the day.
Please make a note of it.
Melissa : I’m almost positive that Dark Shadows art direction had some influence on the Haunted Mansion … the show was Incredibly popular from 1967-1969. While the show had its first daily airing at 4:00 most stations repeated the episode later at nite
When interviewing Tom Peirce he had mentioned the “maid” and “butler” castmember costume was based a great deal on the main characters of Dark Shadows …. At the time I knew of the show but had never seen any of the episodes - now after watching 1967-1970 I can assume Tom was referring to BARNABUS and ANGELIQUE …. You can totally see the haunted mansion costume in their clothing …. Even thought the time travel flash back episodes take place in 1790 ….. the look is still apparent. Other elements of the show are very haunted mansion esque … the family Mausoleum and cemetery and the “haunted” changing paintings ….. like Josette … or the various bride spirits on Widows Leap. And many other show elements. The fact the show was at its height of popularity right when the mansion as it opened was being designed is suspect.
The idea and the concept of The Nitestalker is good but the episodes feel like a cross between Fantasy Island and Gilligan’s Island.
I read “Darren McGavin” and thought “Gavin McLeod.” And then I was like “Wait, Captain Stubing was in A Christmas Story???!!!” And then I was like “Oh, wait…” And then I felt really dumb and resolved never to tell a soul about it - EVER.
JG and JB, yes - one that looks nice...and not too expensive. And maybe a second one, too, only slightly higher, so we get the two-level effect with a little path running down the middle.
Major, I went below decks on the Columbia with my youngest in 2009. Exquisite detail, but man was it hot down there - no air movement at all. No wonder we were the only ones down there. Probably had something to do with being that much closer to the Earth’s core. I follow the Science. And my stomach. Which reminds me - waffles!
RE: George Raft - you’ve never seen Some Like It Hot? You poor, poor man.
Melissa, I don’t remember Kilxhak. Did it star Gavin McLeod?
I don't know if they make paints and coatings there, but there's an AzkoNobel facility near my house. The logo on the building totally makes it look like it's some cartoon supervillain's front company.
Kilxhak was a very tense drama series starring Darrin McGavin MacLeod (and Bob Denver Pyle), all about the main character's struggle to type on a mobile phone without their glasses. I have no idea why it was cancelled.
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