The battle over the Battleship Oregon mast

PORTLAND, Ore. (KOIN) -- The mast of the Battleship Oregon is a popular landmark on the waterfront, but it has fallen into disrepair. Volunteers who look after the mast told KOIN 6 News when they went to the city with their concerns, they were told they would have to fix the mast themselves.

Portland Parks and Recreation owns the mast. The Portland-Blueback Navy League Council takes care of the signal flags and the United States flag on the mast. They have done it for decades, for free.

In summer 2024 members of the council went to the city with a list of suggested repairs that totaled around $50,000. But members of the council said the city told them there was no money in the budget for the repairs and told the council they would have to fund it themselves. Members said the city also asked the council to take a larger role in maintaining the mast, but still work as volunteers.

Joe Baney with the Navy League has been the one to raise the flags over the years. He said the whole situation is sad because the mast belongs to the city, and the council cannot cover the costs on its own.

“It's hard for us to do the fundraising,” he said. “So it's something that the city should take over because it reflects on them as well. That they have a nice city that looks, you know, attractive for visitors to come and see our city.”

Baney said if nothing else, the council would at least like to see a new sign in the area.

In a statement to KOIN 6 News, Portland Parks and Recreation said, “The Portland/Blueback Navy League of the United States notified Portland Parks & Recreation that the League would no longer support nor be involved in maintenance of the USS Oregon mast after the parties’ agreement and activities concluded in January 2025. We appreciate the League’s stewardship.

"Portland Parks & Recreation will continue to maintain the site to ensure it remains safe, clean, and welcoming. The City is still working to determine the current state of the mast and potential next steps for its maintenance.”

Tom Finneran, the council’s president, said the city asking this from a group of volunteers is disheartening.

“It felt like, you know, shift their responsibility from them that –- let's be frank, this is a city owned park and the city owns this mast and the Parks bureau, you know, not us. So they want us to take– assume responsibility for something that's not even ours. It’s the city’s.”

Baney said he believes there is room for this to be resolved if the city will work with the council.

“The city has so much money and I don't know where they spent some of their money, but it would be good for recognition for all the veterans in the United States and seagoing service,” he said. “It would be nice if they could go halfway with us, with the expense at least.”

Finneran said something needs to happen soon because the mast is too important to the city.

“It's a real vital part of Portland,” he said. “A piece of history that I don't want to see, you know, go away or get damaged anymore than it is.”

Baney said by mid-April he will still go back up the mast to raise the signal flags and US flag for the summer.