"greyhound" was then a new vessel, built in 1890, with low cabin structure and a large stern-wheel, so much so that the "hound", as the steamer was called, was said to be "all wheel and whistle." on the morning of april 21, 1891, both the "gatzert" and the "hound" were at the dock in tacoma, when about 10:30 a.m. rumors began to spread that there would be a race between the two vessels on the route back to seattle. hundreds of people crowded onto the docks to witness the event.