but the "spencer" held the right of way and turned closer to the oregon shore when the boats reached the junction of the willamette and the columbia, increasing its lead to three boat lengths on the stretch into vancouver, which "spencer" reached first, covering the 17 mile distance from portland to vancouver in 65 minutes. both boats embarked a few passengers at vancouver, and the "gatzert", with a better position at the dock, was able to cast off first, and keep and maintain a lead of two boat-lengths to the cascade locks, transiting the locks before the "spencer".