The Salinas was one of the earliest propeller-driven steamships.

1860 – Captain Robert Sudden, James Brennan's partner, commisions the building of the Salinas, a small, propeller-driven steamboat, more maneurverable than the usual large, paddle-wheel types of the era. They start Watsonville Landing at the top of the slough in order to transport grain and passengers to San Francisco and bring finished products into the Pajaro Valley area.

1865 – Charles and Edwin Goodall and Christopher Nelson lease the Salinas and several sailing vessels to start what would become the Pacific Coast Steamship Company. Schooners were the preferred sailing ships along the west coast because they could sail more close-hauled than the square-riggers of the day, an important safety factor on a lee shore.