on sunday, march 3, 1895, "bailey gatzert" was to make a trial trip at portland, oregon, with the crew on board only. however, this did not take place due to a cracked steam feed pipe, which had to be replaced. on march 4, 1895, a. mcgillis, steward of the fast steamer "telephone" was assigned to superintend the fitting out of the interior of the "bailey gatzert". on march 11, 1895, "bailey gatzert" arrived at astoria. "bailey gatzert" departed portland at 7:00 a.m., carrying the officers of the steamer's owners, the columbia river and puget sound navigation company, and a large number of other passengers.