In 1851, the steamer was purchased and brought on a ship to the Oregon Territory, where it was operated on the Willamette River until the summer of 1853.

[6]: 77 Pioneer steamboat captain Alexander Sinclair Murray (1827-1914) bought the boat in 1851, and had it transported to Oregon on board the bark Success.

[7][8][9] Although an oceangoing vessel, Success was able to proceed up to Oregon City in June, 1851, covering, it was claimed, most of the distance on the river under sail.

[13] Washington was advertised as running from Canemah to Champoeg, where the boat would meet a connecting stage coach line for travellers bound for Salem, Oregon.

On June 19, 1851, Captain Murray was reported to have "arrived with his iron, steam propeller" apparently the Washington.

Murray in command, departed Oregon City on what was intend to be a run south to Corvallis, then known as Marysville.

[10] As of June 26, 1851 in addition to the two operating boats on the upper Willamette, the Hoosier and the newly arrived Washington, there was another belonging to Captain Bissel, which was expected to be compete in four or five weeks.

[16] Washington remained at Dayton overnight, leaving the next morning for Salem, where they arrived at about 4:00 p.m on Friday, June 27.

[16] Washington was also welcomed at Salem, where the citizens fired off a saluting cannon, and made firewood and other supplies available to the steamer free of charge.

[16] After about two hours at Salem, Washington proceeded further upstream to Cincinnati Landing, now known as Eola, where the boat was greeted by the proprietor of the place, A.C.R.

[16] Cincinnati was a small landing 3 miles west of Salem, in Polk County, 200 yards up Rickreall Creek, which was then known as the La Creole River.

[13] To facilitate steamboat service, the citizens of Cincinnati Landing went to the extent of digging a canal from the Willamette to the La Creole River.

[19] Washington scrapped bottom in several places downriver from Salem, while the Hoosier was able to continue regular trips to Dayton.

[21][22] Service above the falls as far as Marysville was then conducted by two sternwheelers, Canemah and Multnomah, each making one trip a week.

[22] For a stretch of several days in mid-February, 1852, all steamboat service between Oregon City and Portland was suspended when both Washington and another iron-hulled propeller, the Eagle were taken off the route, apparently as a result of mechanical breakdowns.

[24] In mid-August 1853, Washington departed Oregon City for the Umpqua, where, if it arrived safely, it was to be used as a tow boat.

[24] On August 26, 1853, it was reported in Oregon City that Washington had arrived safely and undamaged at Scottsburg, despite having encountered some heavy weather on the way.

Harris from the Allan, McKinlay & Co. wharf in lower Scottsburf every Saturday evening, carrying the U.S. mails, to Gardiner, Providence, Winchester Bay (then known as Umpqua City), and Pyramid Rock.