On Monday, July 4, 1899, Pomona departed for Portland from Salem at 7:00 a.m. Elmore, a rival vessel belonging to the Oregon Railway and Navigation Company then immediately cast off. Elmore, decorated with flags and bunting to mark Independence Day, carried a small saluting cannon on the forward deck, and as Elmore entered the channel, the cannon was fired off. The two vessels raced out of Salem and were neck and neck as they departed the city. Pomona was the first to reach the locks at Oregon City. Pomona however was delayed at the locks, and Elmore was able to pass through first. With this advantage, Elmore was able to beat Pomona into Portland.
