[1] However, despite a number of accidents, including collisions and groundings, La Center earned a reputation as providing dependable transport for the Lewis River country to the Portland market.

[2][3][4] La Center was 65 ft (19.81 m) long, exclusive of the extension of the main deck over the stern, called the fantail, on which the stern-wheel was mounted.

[2] The gasoline engines from La Center were fitted into the Lewis River Navigation Company's sternwheeler Wallula (ex Uncle Sam).

"[8] Uncle Sam, which had been built at Corvallis, Oregon, had been granted a special permit to make a trial trip downriver to Portland to be inspected to receive a license to enter into the steamboat business.

[9] La Center made its trial trip in Portland harbor on February 22, 1912, with Captain Brothers in command.

[13] According to this advertisement, the line had one steamer, two warehouses, five acres of ground, and earned $500 per month net of expenses.

[13] On the night of Friday, October 24, 1913, La Center collided with the sternwheeler Shaver on the Willamette River off St.

[14] Captain Berry of Shaver had by then filed a report of the incident with U.S. steamboat inspectors Edwards and Fuller.

[16] Although this was before national Prohibition in the United States, the town of La Center had recently voted go "dry", that is, to outlaw liquor sales within the city limits.

Moe was quoted in the Morning Oregonian as having said:I have been told by the City Attorney and Marshal that they know nothing about any confiscation or collection of evidence.

[19] On January 25, 1915, ice in the Columbia river prevented La Center from making its usual trip to Portland.

[23] Freight for the town of La Center was being brought to Ridgefield, Washington by rail, and then carried overland by teams, wagons, and sleds.

[24] The steamer was then described as "a small packet plying daily between La Center and other Lewis River points and Portland.

[24] In the fall of 1916, the water in the Lewis and Lake rivers fell so low that boats risked grounding on sandbars, and log raft traffic was impeded.

[25] Rains in early November raised the river levels so that La Center could run again on its usual route on the east fork.

[25] La Center was also operating at the same time between Portland and Ridgefield, Washington on the Lake River, handling the freight work of the steamer Mimare which was then under reconstruction.

[25] On December 19, 1917, it was reported that La Center had been carried ashore during a flood and grounded at Lamb's Landing, about three miles south of Woodland, Washington.

[28] Lewis River Transportation Company was owned and run by members of the Weir family, including, originally, Capt.

[11][29][30] On December 1, 1921, La Center capsized in a wind storm, drowning most of a herd of cattle that were then being transported by the steamer.