Jamieson ran her until 1860, when he sold her to Jacob Kamm, Josiah Myrick, James Strang, and George A. Pease.

Kamm and Myrick were both shareholders in the Oregon Steam Navigation Company and it was at this time that the steamer came under the control of that powerful combination.

[6] During the great flood of the Willamette River in November and December 1861, which among other things destroyed Champoeg and Linn City, the steamer was able to run through the streets of Salem to rescue people.

By the time Onward reached Salem, her ordinary commercial operation turned into one of rescuing people from the flooded city.

O.S.N beat back or bought out all challengers until the People's Transportation Company was organized and put up such hot competition for O.S.N.