"bailey gatzert" had steam up before the launch and was operational when it entered the water. capt. george hill was in the pilot house and he ordered the engines to be started, and the vessel began its first trip, out towards the mouth of salmon bay and then south to seattle. on board at the time were several prominent steamboat men, captains james w. troupe, j.n. mcalpine, and captain clancy of the union pacific steamboat division. some final work needed to be done after the launch, including fitting details and installation of the dynamo for the electric lights.