I would agree by 1860 the westward wagon train movement was in full bloom. By far most families traveling to California came via wagon trains. However, the number of wagon trains leaving in the 1840s were mostly bound for Oregon very few to California. They did pick up in the 1850s after finding of Gold in Sutters Creek but it was still safer and quicker by boat. Barney Malloy left for California in the early 1850s so for him and others without families the Boats made more sense. They did not plan on making California there home. They planned on returning to their families rich and famous. Take Care Doug