Changing Course : 600 Celebrate Stern-Wheeler’s New Name and New Mission as a Museum

Like a ship about to set sail on its maiden voyage, the Newport Harbor Nautical Museum--recently relocated to the former Reuben E. Lee stern-wheeler in Newport Beach--was officially re-christened with a whack of a champagne bottle.

The rites took place amid a shower of fireworks before a crowd of more than 600 people who attended a gala dinner Friday in a tented arena adjacent to the new floating museum. The $100-per-person gala was expected to net $50,000 for the museum, which houses a collection of maritime archives.

A Daughter’s Dream

Exploding fireworks from PyroSpectaculars and a 21-gun salute by the U.S. Coast Guard noisily heralded the re-christening of the riverboat, which was renamed the Pride of Newport. Marcia Bents, museum chairwoman, smacked the champagne bottle on the museum’s stern. The ceremony was held in memory of her daughter, Bettina Bents, a top-notch sailor who died in 1983 at the age of 26 but had already started working on a nautical museum for Newport.

“This was our daughter’s vision. She went around to various people in the community to try to get a museum going,” said Marcia, who attended with her husband, Bill. “Bettina loved the harbor and grew up sailing. She was one of the first members of the Newport Harbor Yacht Club.”

Bettina’s brother, Will, said his mother was the driving force behind the museum, and spent many years of hard work making his sister’s dream come true.

“It’s neat that her dream lives on,” he said.

On the Waterfront

During a cocktail reception, guests got their first look at the new museum, which was swathed in red, white and blue nautical bunting and flags for its debut. Party-goers wandered inside among the maritime exhibits, lingering over photographs of the then-undeveloped Newport Beach coastline and 1920s-era Newport bathing beauties. Some giggled at a display of a 1920s bathing suit--which looked more like a black tennis dress than a swimsuit.

“Oh, there’s a swimsuit to die for!” said one woman to her date.

Art Gronsky, museum president, said the museum had been “struggling along in its old location” at a small building on the Balboa Peninsula for 10 years before finding its new home. Family Restaurants donated the stern-wheeler to the museum.

“Newport Beach wouldn’t be the place it is without its nautical surroundings and heritage,” said Gronsky, who attended with his wife, Anne.

After the reception, guests gathered under the big top for a gourmet dinner, featuring a Caesar salad from the Arches, chilled poached salmon from the Ritz, and assorted cheesecakes from the Cannery.

“This is a spectacular new landmark in Newport Beach,” said Rear Adm. David Janes, event co-chairman. “It has a special place in the hearts of Newport Beach people.” Gala proceeds will be used to help repair and repaint the museum.

Faces in the crowd included: Donna Davis, event co-chairwoman; Richard Steele; Tom and Nadine Wilck; Bill and Edna Blurock; Howard and Roberta Ahmanson; Neil and Kerry Barth; Dorothy Beek; Bud and Irmeli Desenberg; Dell and Norma Glover; Bill and Barbara Hamilton; Patty Hoag; Frank Mallory; Marcia Martyn; Dorothy Ray; Bill Skiles; Sally Somers; and John and Elizabeth Stahr.