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On this day in 1841 the Star of Oregon, the first ocean-going vessel built in Oregon, left Oregon City for two weeks of practice runs on the Columbia River before departing for San Francisco. "Captain" Joseph Gale hoped to trade or sell the schooner for cattle which were in scarce supply in Oregon. The ship left for California in September and the crew of five experienced men and an Indian boy became so seasick that Gale, who was actually a mountaineer, was stuck at the helm for 36 hours without relief. Gale's plan worked though, and the ship was sold for 1,250 cattle, 600 horses and mules, and 3,000 sheep. Gale even talked 42 Californians into helping drive the livestock back to Oregon.
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