Click image to see full-size version.
Bailey Gatzert (December 29, 1829 – April 19, 1893) was an American politician and the eighth mayor of Seattle, Washington, serving from 1875 to 1876. He was the first Jewish mayor of Seattle.
The Bailey Gatzert was a famous sternwheel steamboat that ran on the Columbia River and Puget Sound from the 1890s to the 1920s. This vessel was considered one of the finest of its time. It was named after Bailey Gatzert, an early businessman and mayor of Seattle, who was one of John Leary’s (elected Mayor of Seattle, WA, July 14, 1884 to 1885) closest friends and business associates.
The Bailey Gatzert probably carried more passengers than any other Columbia River steamer. It was considered to be one of the most beautiful river boats, mainly because its upper deck ran all the way out to the bow.
Written on the image, just below the hull:
"Cascade Locks
Sept-4-1910
C. M. Alden,
Master"
Almost everyone on board is wearing a hat, except for a few people. On the middle deck, there is a young boy kneeling on the railing just behind the flagstaff at the bow (right edge of the image). Further aft on the same deck (yes, I'm trying to use naval terms! LOL) there is a group of 6 kids at the rail, all bareheaded.
Just aft of them is what appears to be the only life preserver on this side of the ship. It reads, "Sir Bailey Gatzert" and something unreadable on the lower half.
Just aft of that, there is a man who is holding his hat in his hand while looking to the rear as he leans over the rail. Directly below him, there is a crewman (hat and bib overalls) looking out the port.
So, apparently in that era, pretty much every adult wore a hat, and most kids did not! I looked closely at the upper deck, and there are several bareheaded kids, and one bareheaded woman who is holding a bareheaded baby!
On the main deck near the bow, there are 2 men sitting on the rail each with a foot supported by a heavy rope and a chain.
Just below the life preserver, there appears to be a group of crew members, most without hats., waiters, stewards, cooks, etc. One of them has his knee resting on the foremost of those angled heavy boards that seem to be attached to the middle deck and resting on the main deck. I wonder if those serve as a gangplank, to be swung over to rest on another boat or a dock alongside. I originally thought they were decorative, but on closer inspection I believe they are use as gangplanks, as several are not in precise alignment with the others.
Up in the pilot house, Captain Alden is looking aft, with his left hand on the windowsill.
Just aft of the pilot house, there are 2 short black vent stacks, and you can see a man standing on the wall at the other side of the lock.
There are 36 images of the Bailey Gatzert Steamer and Capt. Alden at the Oregon State University / Oregon Digital website!
