The Dog & Broom

By Jerry Canavit

By the year 1890, the grand Oregon Railway and Navigation Navigation and Transportation days of steamboating on the Company initiated regular service Company. Knowing that the OR Mississippi River were past, but between these cities with the new & N intended to establish a toe- in the Great Northwest, on an and speedy sternwheel steamer hold in the area, they set about expanse of water called Puget GREYHOUND. To assist the to build a vessel that would not Sound, steamboating was still in GREYHOUND, the OR & N had only compete with the large com- its heyday. Fully a million dol- again brought it’s magnificent pany, but would surpass any boat lars worth of steamers were sidewheel steamer T.J. POTTER operating on the Sound in speed added to the Puget Sound fleet up from the Columbia River. and accommodation. The design that year. Grain and flour ship- Together these two new vessels and construction of this vessel ments and passenger and the were to help firmly establish the was contracted to master ship- excursion trade still provided a OR & N and it’s parent company, builder John J. Holland; builder healthy business. Even though the Union Pacific Railroad in that of many of the finest vessels on competition from the railroads area. Puget Sound and the Columbia had begun to take its toll on the On May 31st of that same River. roll of the steamboat, Puget year, an enterprising Seattle busi- On November 22, 1890, the Sound was still witnessing a nessman named John Leary, also beautiful sternwheel steamer healthy passenger and freight understood the potential of estab- BAILEY GATZERT slid broadside business between the cities of lishing regular service between down the ways of the Holland Seattle, Tacoma and Olympia. these same growing areas, and Shipyard at Salmon Bay. She This lively business attracted the together with partners Jacob was named for a prominent citi- services of a good number of ves- Furth, Edward Newfledler, W.R. zen and former mayor of Seattle sels to accommodate these needs. Ballard and H.G. Struve, estab- and was a beauty; complete to the In September of 1890, the lished the Seattle Steam last detail. She measured 177’.3”

The beautiful sternwheel steamer BAILEY GATZERT on the ways at the J.J. Holland Shipyard at Salmon Bay, Ballard, Washington. She was launched on November 22, 1890 and when launched was considered to be the crowning achievement in sternwheel riverboat architecture. The sternwheel passenger steamer GREYHOUND was originally built in Portland, Oregon in 1890 and shortly after her launching was taken to Puget Sound where she ran on the Seattle - Tacoma - Olympia route.. Affectionately known as the “Hound” or the “Pup,” the little sternwheeler was exceptionally fast and was considered by many to be the fastest vessel on Puget Sound. x 32’.3” x 8’ and was rated 560 wheel riverboat shipbuilding. ers considered her pretty much gross tons. Her powerful engines Even before she was launched, the “cock-of-the-walk.” John were made by James Rees & Sons John Leary boasted that his new Leary’s boast of his new boats’ of Pittsburgh. They were high- boat would be fast enough to out- speed would not go un-noticed or pressure, non-condensing engines distance any boat on the Sound; un-challenged. with poppet-valves, having 22- a boast that would get the atten- The T.J. POTTER had also inch cylinders, a 7’ stroke and tion of the owners of a number begun life on the drawing board rated at 1300 horse-power. vessels that prided themselves on of Captain James W. Troup. Steam was furnished by a large their speed; particularly, two Captain Troup, who was now the locomotive-type boiler measuring boats that had never been bested Port Captain for the OR & N (the 78” x 33’ 3 3/8”. Her interior in contests of speed - the GREY- Union Pacific Railroad’s water decoration was exceptional and HOUND and the T.J. POTTER. lines division) demonstrated his reflected the pride of her owners. The GREYHOUND was not a considerable skills by designing Her public rooms were luxurious- large boat, measuring 139’.3” x the POTTER when he was just 26 ly large, her cabins comfortable 18’.5” x 6’.4” and rated 180 years old. His design was heavily and her decks broad for sightsee- tons. She was powered by high- influenced by the design of the ing. The famous British artist pressure engines, 14 1/2” cylin- Hudson River steamer DANIEL Harnett supervised all the interi- ders with a 6’ stroke, and a very DREW, however, the POTTER had or design work and panels in the large paddlewheel that propelled no large hog braces or bulky boil- cabin were the work of his own her through the water at an ers on the guards, as did the hand. Even the engine room pan astonishing rate. She was report- Hudson River steamers. The T.J. els were things of beauty; the edly designed by Captain James POTTER was a picture of grace work of the versatile Captain Troup, brother of one of her own- and beauty. Her slim racing hull Howard Penfield, the first to hold ers, Captain Claud Troup. She was 230’ x 35’.1” x 10’.6” and the position of mate on the BAI- was built in Portland by John B. she was rated 659 gross tons. LEY GATZERT. Steffen and, shortly after her Her upperworks were taken, Even before she was launched, launching, taken to the Sound to almost intact, from another the BAILEY GATZERT was the be used primarily as a passenger steamer; the magnificent stern- topic of much conversation. Her carrier. By the time the BAILEY wheeler WIDE WEST. As the POT- owners were proud of their new GATZERT was launched, the TER was a side-wheeler, slight boat, and justifiably so. She was ‘HOUND, as she was affectionate- modifications were needed to generally considered to be the ly called, had beaten every fast accommodate the wheel houses. crowning achievement in stern- boat on the Sound and her own- The engines, too, came from the WIDE WEST, and were re-config- of the passing river. Her cooks well-appointed, the new boat ured to drive the POTTER’S big were excellent, her fine meals a looked to be a formidable rival. 30-foot side-wheels. Built at culinary delight, and her wonder- The POTTER had easily handled Wilmington, Delaware, the ful bar, with it’s fine glass and her other competitors, for Captain engines were simple high-pres- skilled and tactful bartenders, Troup had built her for speed, sure, non-condensing, with 28” was said to have outshone any and she had never been bested. cylinders, an 8-foot stroke and bar in the country. The BAILEY GATZERT, however, rated at 1200 horse-power. A The POTTER ran for a short had been built in anticipation of large locomotive-type boiler pro- time on the seaside route, servic- competing with the likes of the vided steam at 150 pounds of ing the ocean shore resorts that POTTER; for business and for pressure and was fueled by a had developed along the northern speed. Interesting days lay ahead huge wood-burning firebox; said Oregon beaches just north of the for the BAILEY GATZERT, the T.J. to have been the largest on any mouth of the Columbia River, POTTER, and the GREYHOUND. river steamer in the Northwest. making very fast time on that On December 7, with steam up When master boat builder John run. She was taken to the Sound and finishing complete, the BAI- B. Steffen launched her on May in 1889, for brief service, and LEY GATZERT moved out into 29, 1888, from the North Yard in then returned to the Columbia Seattle harbor and proceeded to Portland, she was a sight to when the summer seaside busi- Schwabacher’s wharf, where she behold. She was a fancy boat, ness opened again. In September, tied up. She remained there for from her fine Wilton carpets to 1890, Captain Troup decided to a number of days while her own- her ornate fretwork paddleboxes send her again to the Sound and ers made her ready for her trial that resembled giant intricate run her with the little GREY- trip to Tacoma. A few days doilies. From her lower deck to HOUND to try and capture a before her run, John Leary, J.J. the grand saloon rose a magnifi- share of the business on the Holland and Captain George Hill cent curved divided staircase. At developing Seattle-Tacoma- confidently placed a gilded broom the head of the stairs hung the Olympia route. When the T.J. and a figure of a greyhound atop largest mirror in the whole POTTER arrived on the Sound her pilothouse as a symbol of her Northwest and in the saloon was that September, the sight of a anticipated speed supremacy and a grand piano, ornately carved in large, handsome sternwheeler invited all comers to try and take a case of birds-eye maple. Her could be seen nearing completion them. This premature act infuri- broad decks extended fore and aft on the ways of the J.J. Holland ated Captain G.H. Parker of the for casual promenades and watch Shipyard. Long, graceful and GREYHOUND and Captain Archie

The long and graceful sidewheel steamer T.J. POTTER was built at the North Yard in Portland, Oregon by John B. Steffen in 1888 out of the notable sternwheel steamer WIDE WEST. She was designed by Capt. James W. Troup and ran for the Oregon Railway and Navigation Co. on both the Columbia River and Puget Sound and was one of the fastest and most luxurious vessels to travel the waters of the Pacific Northwest. The BAILEY GATZERT ran Seattle to Tacoma for the Seattle Steam Navigation and Transportation Co. Her owners were so confident of her anticipated speed supremacy, they put the effigy of a gilded “Dog & Broom” atop her pilothouse even before she was put into service. This act infuriated the owners of the GREYHOUND and T.J. POTTER who were both eager to remove them from the new steamer.

Pease of the POTTER, and both the wake of her thundering pad- shared with the POTTER’S passen- eagerly awaited the opportunity dlewheel. In explaining his reluc- gers, as they entered into the to humble this cocky new rival. tance to race, Captain Hill, of the spirit of the contest and waited On December 12th, the GATZERT, said he had no inten- anxiously for the race. The GATZERT was scheduled to leave tion of racing brcause he did not excitement spread as bets were at 8:00 a.m. on her initial run to have enough water on board to placed all along the waterfront. Tacoma. A rumor circulated make the 28-mile run on high The waiting continued an hour around the docks that the speed. past the POTTER’S scheduled ‘HOUND would be squaring-off The evening of the GREY- departure time. When the with the GATZERT and with the HOUND/FLEETWOOD encounter, GATZERT had still made no sign FLEETWOOD ( a small propeller when the T.J. POTTER arrived at of leaving the wharf, arrange- steamer owned by U.B. Scott) on Tacoma on her scheduled run, ments were then made to send the run to Tacoma. The GREY- Captain James W. Troup met the the POTTER’S passengers on to HOUND patiently waited for the big steamer at the dock. As Seattle aboard another OR & N new boat to pull out, but the superintendent of the Pacific steamer, the NORTH PACIFIC. GATZERT would not leave the Coast water lines of the Union Shortly after 6 o’clock the wharf while the GREYHOUND was Pacific and the designer of both GATZERT finally blew her whistle still in the harbor. Seeing that the POTTER and GREYHOUND, and several minutes later her the GATZERT was avoiding a Captain Troup had come all the lines were thrown off. The race, and not wanting to delay way from Portland to see a con- engine room and fire pit of the her departure any longer, the test between one of his steamers POTTER then became a scene of GREYHOUND left on her run to and the new BAILEY GATZERT. lively activity. The stokers Tacoma. Irritated because the Disappointed that there had been worked like demons as the big GATZERT wouldn’t race, the no race, Captain Troup called a furnace roared. The strong arms GREYHOUND sped after the quick meeting with the local OR & of “Reub” and “Tom”, which FLEETWOOD, who had left at her N brain-trust and decided to force turned her big wheels, were scheduled time eleven minutes a race back to Seattle by holding greased, inspected and ready and earlier. The GREYHOUND over- the POTTER at the dock until the chief engineer Smith had his coat took the FLEETWOOD and GATZERT left, even if they had to off, which meant he was deter- steamed triumphantly into hold the big boat there until mined to set a new record. Tacoma harbor with the small morning. There was much excite- The GATZERT got under way at propeller steamer wallowing in ment when these intentions were 6:18 1/2 p.m. and a minute and a half later the POTTER’S lines were thrown off. When she swung around into her course the GATZERT was well under way. The passengers and the crowd on the wharf gave vigorous cheers as the two vessels started out at full speed. With the GATZERT starting out with a good lead, the POTTER ran in close to Brown’s Point and cut off some of the sternwheeler’s advantage. After eleven minutes of running, the two vessels were side-by-side. In twenty minutes the POTTER fairly passed her rival and arrived in Seattle at 7:46 p.m., making the run in 1 hour, 26 minutes and establishing a record time. The GATZERT arrived six minutes The T.J. POTTER is shown here sporting the “Dog & Broom” atop her pilothouse - probably later, in 1 hour, 32 minutes. sometime shortly after the famous June 14, 1891 race with the sternwheeler BAILEY GATZERT. Although the GATZERT eventually broke her Tacoma-Seattle speed record, she retained these After the race, Captain Pease, of trophies even when she returned to the Columbia River. She would later lose them to Capt. U.B the POTTER stated: “The Gatzert Scott’s incredibly fast sternwheeler TELEPHONE. made a noble run for a stern- the Dog and Broom that had GREYHOUND started across the wheel vessel. She is a fine ves- adorned the pilothouse of the bay after the handsome steamer, sel, as fine a sternwheel vessel as BAILEY GATZERT were quietly which by that time was making I ever saw. But we wanted to get removed. fast water for Tacoma. The rid of the idea that she is faster After the POTTER’S victory GREYHOUND, with her big wheel than the POTTER. The POTTER over the GATZERT, the GREY- kicking up a furious wake, gained has never been beaten.” The HOUND’S owners grew even more on the GATZERT steadily, and at owners of the GATZERT claimed anxious to test their speed and Alki Point, there was but three that the race was made by order skills against the new boat. The lengths between the two steam- of her builder J.J. Holland, who owners of the GATZERT, knowing ers. The GREYHOUND passed the was anxious to test her speed, their machinery was still tight, GATZERT before reaching Pulley and not by them. Captain Hill and somewhat embarrased by the Point and triumphantly steamed stated that he still wasn’t ready recent defeat, were not anxious into Tacoma harbor almost a mile to open the GATZERT up and race to have a “brush” with the ahead of the GATZERT, beating because “her machinery was new ‘HOUND, and on several occasions her by eight minutes. The and had not yet been worn down delayed their scheduled departure GREYHOUND’s time was 1 hour, to run smoothly.” The captain to avoid having another test of 29 minutes. Captain Hill of the also stated that “while the race speed. Finally, on December GATZERT claimed that he did not naturally excited much interest, 24th, Captains Parker and Troup know there was a race, and - in the traveling public did not look of the GREYHOUND decided to any event - his boat was not yet with much favor on racing play the waiting game, as the fully in condition for fast run- between steamers. They would POTTER had done, and then ning. He also stated again that rather go quietly on their journey overtake the new sternwheeler the GATZERT was still to new to and arrive five minutes later at enroute, whether she wanted to do good racing, and that the their destinations than break a race or not. valves on her engines were not record at the peril of their lives. The GREYHOUND was held at even open when the GREYHOUND The momentary excitement of a her Seattle dock until the GAT- passed. Whether this was true or race,” he stated,” simply was not ZERT finally left at 8:10 that not, the boasts of her owners had worth the risk.” The next day morning. Five minutes later the been successfully challenged twice and the broom that had been way. By the time the GATZERT “HOUND was forty-five seconds removed when the POTTER beat reached Robinson’s Point, she had ahead., and she kept the lead all the GATZERT, was transferred left the GREYHOUND far astern. the way into Tacoma, beating the that day to the GREYHOUND. Then, unexpectedly, at Alki Point, GATZERT by a minute and a half. On January 28, 1891, the the GREYHOUND began to rapidly Her time was 1 hour, 30 minutes. GATZERT was taken off the gain on the big sternwheeler. At Captain Hatch claimed that the Tacoma - Seattle schedule because Duwamish Head she closed to race was lost because of “improp- business was slow and she was within 500 yards. Upon reaching er fuel” being used, and was will- losing money. On February 4th, the shoal water, the GREYHOUND ing to race again that same day, because of financial problems, the continued gaining as she was able if the GREYHOUND people were Seattle Steam Navigation and to run a shorter course nearer willing. When the GREYHOUND’S Transportation Company was sold the shore. The shorter distance owners declined a rematch that to Captain U.B. Scott, who, with allowed the lanky little stern- day, Captain Hatch of the John Leary and others, formed a wheeler to close within just two GATZERT, confident he could win new company; The Columbia boat-lengths as the GATZERT, and wanting to settle the matter River and Puget Sound Trans- after narrowly missing a small once and for all, drew up an portation Company. On March sailing vessel, passed the finish agreement to race. The following 7th, under the flag of her new line at the Seattle buoy. Her time is the agreement proposed by management, she was back on for the run was 1 hour, 29 min- Captain Hatch: the Seattle-Tacoma run again with utes; her fastest time to date. Captain Zephaniah Jefferson Captain Claud Troup of the GREY- AGREEMENT TO RACE Hatch, one of Captain Scott’s busi- HOUND claimed that his boat had ness associates, as master. With lost because during the time spent the colorful Captain Hatch in waiting for the GATZERT to make “Agreement of race between command, it didn’t take long for repairs before the race started, steamers Bailey Gatzert and things to heat up between the the GREYHOUND had used up a Greyhound; purse to be $300 a ‘HOUND and the GATZERT again. great amount of fresh water in side. Course - from Tacoma buoy After considerable bantering her boiler and, about the time she No.1 to Alki Point. Start - both between the crews and owners of passed Robinson’s Point, she was boats to come up to a line off the two boats, talk turned to forced to pump salt water into Tacoma buoy No.1 between the action and, on April 21st, a race her boiler, causing her to lose hours of 10;30 and 11 a.m., was scheduled to take place. The steam pressure. Troup stated Sunday, April 26, 1891, under Tacoma dock was seething with that only by heavy feeding of the slow bells, three blasts of the interested observers as the two firebox was she able to get back whistle to be answered by the steamers made ready. At a little her steam and get back into the other boat if start is satisfactory. before 10:30 a.m., the GREY- race. Still believing he should Decision - race to be decided by HOUND pulled away from the have won the race, Captain Troup three judges, one to be chosen by Tacoma dock, with her bow low commented: ‘We’ll wait for her each boat, they choose a third, and stern riding high, and waited and race her back and beat her, and their decision to be final. for the GATZERT. Promptly at we will.” And is further agreed that no 10:30 the GATZERT whistled to As expected, the GREYHOUND breakdowns or any other reason cast off her lines. As she began did not leave for the return trip or causes will be allowed to call backing away, her tiller rope to Tacoma at 1 o’clock as sched- race off; boats must run or forfeit became entangled between the uled, but waited for the GATZERT. stake money to boat making run shive and block and snapped. At 1:45 the GATZERT whistled to over the above described course. The break was hard to get at and cast off lines, and the GREY- All the foregoing terms are condi- she had to put back into the dock HOUND, with plenty of fresh tions to be in effect from the for repairs. The GREYHOUND water aboard, followed suit. Both signing of this agreement by the patiently steamed about as the steamers started off savagely masters of the steamers named forty-five minute repair job took side-by-side. This time the GREY- herein.” place. At 11:15, the GATZERT HOUND forged ahead and took the Captain Z.J. Hatch, backed out and finally got under- lead. At Duwamish Head the Master, Bailey Gatzert Captain Parker of the GREY- it freely. The second encounter sels, the screw-propeller VICTORI- HOUND, agreed to the race initial- had gone to the GATZERT with a AN; a boat they felt better suited ly, but later refused to sign the time of 1 hour, 25 minutes; one to the waters of the Sound. agreement. Captain Hatch and minute better that the POTTER’S For some reason, on May 9th, others stated that the reason for best time and previous record the GREYHOUND decided to test this refusal was because having when she had beaten the the T.J. POTTER. Why the the finish line at Alki Point took GATZERT in December. ‘HOUND would choose to run away the GREYHOUND’S light After defeating the POTTER, against her big running mate isn’t draft advantage; she being able to the GATZERT, with renewed confi- clearly understood; perhaps, since lay two points closer to the shore dence, began serious preparation the GATZERT had bested her, she between Alki Point and the to take the Dog and Broom back thought the big sidewheeler was Seattle Buoy, thus shortening the from the ‘HOUND. Cords of the vulnerable, and chose to try and course about a mile to her advan- pitchiest slabwood were pur- add her to her long list of vic- tage. The race was called off and chased and stored for the contest, tims. This race would be the only Captain Parker’s stake money and she was carefully maintained recorded encounter between the was returned to him. in racing trim, awaiting the first two boats. Disgusted at the GREYHOUND’S opportunity to take on the lanky As both steamers were lying refusal to race, Captain Hatch, little sternwheeler. John Leary’s side-by-side at the Pacific dock in with the GATZERT still in racing instructions were to “race the Tacoma, both pilots gave bells to trim, went after the T.J. POTTER. Greyhound anytime, anywhere, to back up at exactly 8:30 a.m. On April 27th, instead of leaving Tacoma at her regular time of half an hour after the POTTER’S departure time, she took off right after the big sidewheeler as it departed Tacoma Harbor. Pulling alongside she blew a challenge and the POTTER responded, as the engines on both boats were thrown wide open. By Robinson’s Point, the GATZERT had estab- lished a minute and a half lead. Realizing that she would not be able to catch the GATZERT, the POTTER began to slow down as the GATZERT continued blazing a path to Seattle. After the defeat (the POTTER’S first), the POTTER’S people The BAILEY GATZERT left Puget Sound to run on the Columbia River in 1892. She ran the claimed that their boat was in no lower river, was completely reconditioned at Astoria in 1895, lengthened and rebuilt at condition to race, that they were Portland in 1907 and ran the middle river until 1917. She returned to Puget Sound in 1918 to run the Navy Yard route as an automobile ferry until she was retired in 1922. loaded down with freight and not in proper trim. They also snatch those trophies away from Both boats immediately righted claimed that the GATZERT people her.” It would still be a while and started ahead together, mak- knew this and were trying to take before she would get the opportu- ing a graceful circle of the entire advantage of the situation. It nity to do this. harbor. As they slowly headed seemed to be the general opinion On May 3rd, the OR & N out toward Brown’s Point, the of the people on the GATZERT, announced that they planned to GREYHOUND gave four impudent however, that the POTTER was return the T.J. POTTER to the blasts from her whistle as a chal- fairly vanquished. Even some of Columbia River sometime in June. lenge and the steamers started the deck hands on the POTTER She would be replaced one of away side-by-side amidst the shared this opinion and expressed Captain James Troup’s new ves- shouting and cheers of the people on the Tacoma docks. The GREY- GREYHOUND responded, and was the faster boat. HOUND was in racing trim and with both vessels churning up a At first opportunity, James quickly took the lead, holding it frothy wake, the GATZERT slowly Troup cornered John Leary on all the way. She arrived off the inched around her nemesis. the Seattle waterfront, and a buoy in Seattle at 9:56; 1 hour Captain Hatch of the GATZERT heated verbal exchange took and 26 minutes after leaving Tacoma. Captain Troup of the GREYHOUND stated: “We made splendid time, and for a boat like the Greyhound, the speed she made is phenomenal. We’ve been endeavoring to have a brush with the Potter and we’ve had it and won. Of course, I’m satisfied. Our defeating the Potter com- pletes the list and we won’t race any more. We have beaten everything on Puget Sound. The Greyhound has passed the Kingston, City of Seattle, Bailey Gatzert, State of Washington, Fleetwood, T.J. Potter, and, in The speedy GREYHOUND continued running on Puget Sound long after both the BAILEY fact, everything that ever made GATZERT and T.J. POTTER had left for the Columbia River. She was converted to oil-burning any claims to speed, and, as I in 1907 and remained one of the fastest vessels on the Sound until she was retired in 1917. said before, the Greyhound will held down his whistle rope in a place. “That tub of yours has got not race any more.” steady booming blast for all to no business carryin’ those tro- Finally, on a bright day in hear. As both vessels thrashed phies,” Troup announced. “The May, not long after the “HOUND’S down Commencement Bay, the Potter can run her ragged.” victory over the T.J. POTTER, the BAILEY GATZERT, with her Rees Leary was indignant. “You better BAILEY GATZERT accosted the lit- poppet-valve engines straining take that wallowing roller-coaster tle steamer as she was making every bolt, stretched her lead out of yours back to Portland,” he her regular run across Elliott to nearly three lengths. On this roared, “Our boat’s going to run Bay. She had been waiting for day the “HOUND could not catch you plumb out of business.” this opportunity and was ready, her and the Dog and Broom were (Leary’s roller-coaster comment and, with the GREYHOUND’S transferred to the GATZERT. was in reference to the POTTER’S recent victory over the T.J. POT- Captain Troup told reporters that habit of rolling from side to side TER, this contest should settle, “this was just a temporary defeat in rough seas on the Sound. She once and for all, which was the and those trophies would soon be was designed to run on the rela- fastest boat on the Sound. She back on the GREYHOUND.” tively quiet waters of the was in good trim with plenty of Late in May of 1891, Captain Columbia River and rough water fresh water for good steam and James W. Troup came up to was not to her liking and not kind her engines were sufficiently bro- Seattle from Portland on his to her passengers; many of whom ken in and running smoothly. monthly inspection tour of the OR spent more time leaning over the With her boiler straining from the & N’s Puget Sound fleet. When rails than in the saloon). heat of the specially prepared he heard that his brother’s boat After being defeated by both cordwood and her stack belching had been defeated in an honest the GATZERT and the GREY- fire and an ebony banner of steamboat race, he really didn’t HOUND, the owners of the POT- smoke, the GATZERT drew down mind, but the sight of the Dog TER, realizing they would have to on the little sternwheeler and and Broom on the GATZERT, a back up Captain Troup’s challenge sounded her passing whistle. competitor, was quite intolerable to the BAILEY GATZERT, issued Despite Captain Troup’s statement to him. Besides, he had designed this statement in the Post- of not racing any more, the the T.J. POTTER and he knew she Intelligencer: “The Potter is not in good racing condition at pre- Pease had words of praise for Sounders backed the GATZERT. sent. She has not had the chance both the BAILEY GATZERT and Both boats were carefully pre- to keep in trim that the other GREYHOUND. He said the GREY- pared for the big event. It was steamers have. The Potter HOUND is phenomenally fast for undoubtedly the most promoted always carries heavy loads of a boat of her class, and of the race ever held on the Sound. On freight and she has a very hard GATZERT he said: “The Gatzert is the day of the contest, places of run and frequently meets rough a splendid boat. Her success as a business were abandoned so water. Every Sunday the racing steamer explodes a com- everyone could go to the water- Greyhound lays up, as do most of mon theory among most steam- front and see the start of the cel- the other steamers, and if any boatmen to the effect that a ebrated contest. repairs are necessary, a chance steamer, to be fast, must have Activity bristled on both the big is thus given to make them. With large power, be long and narrow steamers the morning of the race. the Potter it is entirely different. and be limber. Now in the Down in the engine rooms, the We have absolutely no time to Gatzert is embodied perfection in engineers and firemen readied make repairs, such as we would the first two conditions of this themselves for a real sweat bath. like to make, and we only have theory; but as to the third condi- Coal, pitchy wood and bacon rind one day off each month; then we tion, she is built directly at vari- to fire the boilers to super-intense wash the boiler. The Potter can ance with this theory; for she is heat were stacked and ready. cover the twenty-eight miles stiff and almost as staunch as a The POTTER, scheduled to leave between Seattle and Tacoma in ship. She has speed, durability at 10:00 a.m., backed out into the one hour and twenty minutes. and elegance all combined, but - harbor with 100 passengers on Of that I am confident. she can’t race with the Potter.” board and waited for the Before long the Potter will be put In early June, both the owners GATZERT. At 10:45, the into condition to race, and we will of the POTTER and GATZERT GATZERT departed and headed make the time stated and beat all agreed to a final contest to settle for the waiting POTTER. The records. When we make the race the question as to which was the POTTER rested motionless in the we will extend invitations, and, if faster boat. The race was set for water as the GATZERT steamed possible, will have a newspaper Sunday, June 14, 1891. New by. Momentum at the start man on board to take observa- bets were placed and old bets seemed to be with the GATZERT tions and vouch for the accuracy were renewed. Portland money as she jumped out to a length and of the steamers’ time.” Captain was on the POTTER while Puget a half lead. Their massive pad-

The T.J. POTTER was completely rebuilt in 1901 at Portland, making her larger and more luxurious than ever. Although she received larger, more powerful engines, her once legendary speed was considerably reduced. She became the favorite boat for the monied gentry, known for her excellent bar and fine cuisine. She remained one of the most popular vessels on the Columbia River until she was retired in 1916. dlewheels spun like giant egg- Sound. Without the nozzle, the times for the points in between. beaters and plumes of black GATZERT could not keep up her On June 16th, backers of the smoke belched from their stacks steam pressure and her speed GATZERT protested the outcome as they churned the green waters was substantially reduced; the of the race and howled for a into a frothy wake. Cord-wood race was over for the BAILEY rematch. Captain Hatch chal- was devoured by the fireboxes as GATZERT. The POTTER kept bar- lenged Captain Pease to “just one if they were hungry demons. reling her way to the finish line, more race.” Captain Pease Captain Z.J. Hatch of the BAILEY showing no mercy. Passengers agreed, and the day for the GATZERT and Captain Archie on the GATZERT, knowing the rematch was set for the following Pease of the T.J. POTTER com- race was over, gathered at the Sunday, June 21st. A large manded their vessels with skill bar to drown their sorrow. There crowd gathered on the Tacoma and discipline. It was a race to wasn’t a dry eye on board. dock in a drenching rain, but at the finish; at stake, the coveted The POTTER tied up at her the last minute, the GATZERT Dog and Broom. Seattle berth amid the wild cheers was chartered for an excursion Eight and one-half minutes into of her passengers, with her whis- to Seattle and the POTTER, not the race, just off Brown’s Point, tle blowing and brooms flying wanting to delay her departure, the POTTER had pulled even with from every masthead. Across the left for Seattle and did not wait the GATZERT. The tug SUSIE, sidewheelers forepeak was a bar- for her. On June 25th, the POT- with a group of enthusiastic rel, and over the barrel was TER left the Sound to return to observers on board cheered wildly placed a stuffed effigy. Above Portland and the Columbia River as the boat saluted the two racers this was hoisted a banner on trade with her trophies as the with her whistle; nearly exhaust- which was painted in glaring let- champion flyer of Puget Sound ing her steam supply in the ters, “The Gatzert Is Dead!” still intact. process. At Robinson’s Point, Captain Pease was the first down Still smarting from the defeat, the POTTER edged ahead by the gangplank. He headed for the and frustrated at not getting a almost a boat-length. Passengers dispatchers to get a wire off to rematch, the GATZERT did the fortified with drinks kept up a Captain Troup who was at his next best thing; she went after steady line of chatter as the Portland office. His message the POTTER’S record. On October decks beneath them quivered and read: “Passed Gatzert: Time 1 30th, with Captain Harry Struve the stacks shot out open flame. hour, 22 1/2 minutes.” Troup’s in command. she lowered the The POTTER seemed to have a reply contained but three words: Tacoma-Seattle record, while rac- slight advantage, but it was still ing again with the GREYHOUND, anybody’s race. Suddenly, like a “Get the Dog.” when she blazed the course in 1 bolt out of the blue, with her pad- hour, 21 minutes and bettering dlewheel turning its maximum 20 When the GATZERT finally the POTTER’s time by a minute revolution per minute, an explo- arrived, Captain Pease and sever- and a half. The GATZERT’s own- sive roar was heard on the al passengers went to Captain ers requested the trophies be GATZERT. The passengers scat- Hatch and demanded the gilt returned, since the POTTER no tered about like frightened jack- Greyhound and Broom that stood longer held the fastest time, how- rabbits in fear the steamer was atop the pilot house. Captain ever, the Dog & Broom remained about to explode. In fact, the Hatch graciously turned these with the T.J POTTER as a symbol intense heat going through her over to Captain Pease who had of her great speed and of the day engine had caused enormous them mounted atop the pilot she beat the BAILEY GATZERT back-pressure in her smokestack house of the T.J. POTTER. To for the title of Speed Queen of exhaust line between the engine guard against the possibility of Puget Sound. room and the exhaust nozzle. the time being disputed, and to With this tremendous pressure, preserve the fact that the record the nozzle stripped away and was broken, a notary public was shot upward through the stack sought out and an affidavit was with a sound like a cannon-shot. sworn to by several officers and The nozzle soared like a mortar passengers on the POTTER, shell high into the air, then plum- stating the date, the time of meted down into the depths of the arrival and departure, and the