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On this day in 1861 the small steamer St. Clair made history when it was swept over Willamette Falls without sustaining either major damage or loss of life. The steam scow, built in 1859 at Ray's Landing, started from Canema and disappeared over the falls within seconds. When Captain Smith blew the boat's whistle from below, a cheer arose from the anxious onlookers at the landing. High water from the ravaging floods that swept away the towns of Linn City and Champoeg was thought largely responsible for the near tragedy.
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